The kingdom lies undefeated. Cadwallon and Penda, the kings of Gwynedd and Mercia, ravage the land. Oswald has a rightful claim to the throne, but he is sick of bloodshed; in his heart he longs to lay down his sword and join the monks of Iona. However, the abbot of Iona does not need another monk; the abbot wants a warrior king to spread the new faith. He must reignite Oswald's hunger for glory and renown, for gold and power and the homage of men. If he does, will it destroy Oswald? This is the second book in The Northumbrian Thrones trilogy by Time Out author and historian Edoardo Albert.