Arthur, Emperor of Britain, knows he is nearing the end of his life.
But before he dies, he is determined to see his nation united and at peace. Despite finally making peace with Rome, there are still many threats to Arthur’s kingdom. The Saxons of the east, the Picts in the north and the Celts in the west are frequent raiders and plunderers of the shoreline, and the Franks and Jutes, Suehans, Angles and Huns who are over-running Gaul, are preparing to cross the Narrow Sea with their fire and blades.
After the outbreak of a great pestilence, many Britons have died, and the crops are in ruins. So Arthur is forced to quickly build up a new army of soldiers. He must once more unite the sparring clans if he has any hope of fortifying Britain against the outside threats. But that is easier said than done. With the ruling thegns reluctant to bow down to him, and declare peace with their neighbours, Arthur has his work cut out trying to rally them to his cause. Can he save his empire from the threat of invasion? Can he achieve War’s End? Or is this desperate mission doomed to fail?