It is a dangerous time with an uncertain future: the late eighth century in the land now known as Scotland. For hundreds of years, the Picts have fought with the Irish across the sea and in Dal Riata, the Irish colony on the western coast. But now the Picts face a new and barbarous enemy--the Vikings. To save their society, they arrange a political marriage between their best warrior, Drosten mac Gormach, and Mhoire ni Colman, a beautiful...