The Varangian

1086 AD. The Roman Emperor, Alexios, has finally overcome the Normans. Yet the war has taken a heavy toll, and left much of his empire in ruins.

Suddenly he is attacked by a host of enemies at once. In Thrace, the heretical sects of the Bogomils and Paulicians rise up against Alexios. Then the Pechenegs, a tribe of ferocious horse-warriors, storm across the Danube river. A vicious pirate, Çaka Bey, threatens the Roman navy.

Trapped between so many fires, Alexios must fight for the empire's very existence. Once again he turns to his loyal Varangian Guard, now led by Thorkell Skaldsson.

The tale of this bloody and brutal time is written by Thorkell, once a bard in the service of Waltheof, the last English earl. In old age, thousands of miles from England, he still mourns the conquest of his homeland. Before he dies, Thorkell has vowed to write the truth...of Duke William, Harold Hardrada and Sweyn of Denmark, of the Emperor Alexios and the mighty city of Micklegarth...of the fall and rise of the English.

The Northman has one last saga to tell...

THE VARANGIAN (THE BLOODY HAND SAGA BOOK 6) is by David Pilling, author of The Champion series, Longsword, Leader of Battles, Reiver, Caesar's Sword, Edward I and Wales, and many other fiction and nonfiction works.