This is not a “historical novel.” Nor is it a geography lesson, or a linguistics guide. In other words: I made most of it up. References to historical dates, places, and words in old languages are accurate only in the sense of being “not very.”

As always, I owe a huge debt to a lot of people who do not get to have their names on the front cover, especially Nick Lake, my ever-patient editor; Samantha Stewart; Jane Tait; Mary O’Riordan; and everyone else whose job is to make me appear to be a better writer than I really am.

To them all: thank you.