Merlin Has Groomed Pendragon's Son, the Eagle of Thor, to lead the doomed Celts against the Saxon conquerors. In defeat will Arthor find his victory, and Camelot its triumph. Their light will shine across the ages, a beacon to humankind.

But Merlin is shocked to discover that his Eagle is a vicious, callow youth whose only joy is in killing. With his Roman sword named "Short-Life", Arthor will bathe Camelot in blood, unless another sword offers itself to his gory hand. A sword named Excalibur that must be pulled from the star-stone at Creation's radiant heart...

"Strikingly unconventional...passionate...a remarkable work in progress". -- Locus

"By far the most lyrically written of the recent Arthurian books.... Attanasio achieves moments of aching emotion.... Fresh and engaging". -- Magazine of Fantasy and Science