The Admirals' Game (24 page)

Aquila, now fighting for Rome, carries with him his lucky talisman; a golden amulet shaped like an eagle in flight. The only clue to his true identity, will it finally lead him to his real family?

THE CONQUEST SERIES

WRITTEN AS
JACK LUDLOW

MERCENARIES

1033, the Norman/French border. Six brothers, the sons of Tancred de Hauteville, prepare to experience their first taste of battle. They have been trained since birth to become great warriors, following in their father's footsteps. As knights, they have but one true purpose: to fight. Nothing matters more to a Norman of noble birth than the ability to engage in battle; nothing has greater importance than skilful swordsmanship and winning a fight – and the de Hautevilles are used to winning.

Denied service with their duke, they are forced to take employment as mercenaries. Through their position as a band of warriors, they are able to turn events to their advantage, eventually claiming victory and lands of their own.

Victory and defeat, betrayal and revenge combine as the desperation to rule becomes an intense battle, testing even the strongest of ties. But through it all shines the loyalty of blood that binds families – and warriors – together.

THE CONQUEST SERIES

WRITTEN AS
JACK LUDLOW

WARRIORS

Italy, 11th Century. The Byzantine Empire rules much of Europe and in the Italian states it does so through force and bribery, but the indigenous populations are restless.

Arduin of Fassano and the men he commands are mercenaries for the young and enterprising Byzantine general, Michael Doukeianos. However, Arduin feels the time may have come to rejoin his Lombard brethren and rise up in revolt against their Eastern rulers.

A crucial key in this revolt is the fortress of Melfi. General Doukeianos appoints Arduin to protect it, unaware of his imminent betrayal. To guard this stronghold, Arduin hires the most-feared of all the Western soldiers: the Norman mercenaries. Led by Rainulf Drengot and his right-hand man William de Hauteville, oldest of the de Hauteville brothers, these men are Arduin's greatest hope of overcoming the might of Byzantium, but the Normans are intent on more than just aiding the revolt: they are seeking land and titles for themselves…

D
AVID
D
ONACHIE
was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as well as the Roman Republic, and, under the pen-name of Jack Ludlow, has published a number of historical adventure novels. David lives in Deal with his partner, the novelist Sarah Grazebrook.

T
HE
J
OHN
P
EARCE SERIES

By the Mast Divided

A Shot Rolling Ship

An Awkward Commission

A Flag of Truce

The Admirals' Game

An Ill Wind

Blown Off Course

Enemies at Every Turn

A Sea of Troubles

Written as Jack Ludlow

T
HE
R
EPUBLIC SERIES

The Pillars of Rome

The Sword of Revenge

The Gods of War

T
HE
C
ONQUEST SERIES

Mercenaries

Warriors

Conquest

T
HE
R
OADS TO
W
AR SERIES

The Burning Sky

A Broken Land

A Bitter Field

T
HE
C
RUSADES SERIES

Son of Blood

Soldier of Crusade