<p><i>''Take my place, Phaedrus, and with it, take my vengeance . . .''</i></p><p>Phaedrus the gladiator wins his freedom after years of bloody battles in the arena. Soon he finds himself riding north towards the wilds of Caledonia on a strange mission. He is to assume the identity of Midir, Lord of the Horse People, to seek vengeance against the treacherous Liadhan, who has usurped the throne.</p><p>Ahead of him lies more adventure and more danger than he had ever known in the arena . . .</p>