1096.
Byzantium is on its knees. Devastated by years of political intrigue and civil war, it is only a matter of time before the capital falls to the Turks.
In desperation, Emperor Alexios calls to the Pope in the West for help. Expecting a force of mercenaries, instead he receives a vast host of warrior pilgrims who are fired by the religious zeal of the First Crusade. The horde is led by ambitious, European nobleman who are driven by the desire to make kingdoms of their own in the East.
At Alexios’ side is Cadman, a veteran Anglo-Saxon warrior and commander of the elite Varangian Guard who longs to return to his homeland. Amongst the followers of the army is Matilda, Cadman’s first love, who is now in Byzantium with her husband and their son.
Cadman discovers that Matilda’s husband holds the English lands that were taken from him when he was a boy. Those lands are also coveted by Odo, her husband’s cousin, and a ruthless knight who will stop at nothing to make them his own.
As the empire’s envoy to the crusading army, Cadman is caught up in the rivalries of the western princes and torn by the rift of distrust that opens between Alexios and the crusaders.
From the siege of Antioch to the sack of Jerusalem, Cadman must navigate the plots of the leaders, fight for the empire, and keep his oath to Matilda to protect her son from Odo - who hunts him in the chaos of battle.
There will be a reckoning.
Crusader is the third book in the Honour Bound Trilogy published by Sharpe Books.
