The Empress Zoe, ruthless and cruel, rules the eastern Mediterranean. To fight her battles, she employs an army of Vikings - the most fearsome warriors of their time. Led by the legendary Harald Hardrada, these mercenaries will do whatever it takes to win.

Hiding in their ranks is Solveig - a fifteen-year-old girl.

Amid the excitement and danger of combat, she must face terrible truths about the brutality of her people - and of her father. And, in the end, she will have to choose between all she holds dear, and what she believes is right.

An epic adventure about Vikings and Saracens, ship battles and land-raids, loyalty and sacrifice.

This is book 2 in The Viking Sagas .

There are 272 pages in this book. This book was published 2013 by Hachette Children's Group .

Kevin Crossley-Holland is well-known as a poet, broadcaster, and writer for children. He won the Carnegie Medal in 1985. For Oxford, he has written The Green Children and adapted Beowulf for children.