Shadows of the Slain (The Bernicia Chronicles)
AD 652, in the northern parts of what is now Italy. Beobrand, Thegn of Ubbanford, leads his Black Shield warriors as they escort a group of monks on pilgrimage to the Holy City, Roma. They are from Northumbria, a kingdom on an island in the chill seas of north-west Europe.
The Christian monks are in desperate need of pagan Beobrand’s services. The road is infested with bandits and highway robbers. Hence, there is plenty of opportunity for the wielding of Beobrand’s sword, and Harffy’s detailed and imaginative battle scenes.
When they reach Roma, things only get worse. They become embroiled in a complex web of power struggles and vendettas, both within and without the Church. Despite Beobrand’s valiant efforts to contain both his temper and his sword, he must fight again.
This is one of a series, with references to past adventures, but can be read alone. Beobrand fulfils expectations. Disregarding bodily pain and grief for lost friends, he fights hard and well. His oath-sworn companions are trusty and cheerful. Beobrand honourably defends women, who respond by happily serving, without troubling him with their own feelings. The description of Rome after the shift of Imperial power to Constantinople is vivid, evocative, and believable.
Beobrand is fictional, but he escorts the historical figure of Wilfred, who was credited with persuading Northumbria into the Roman, rather than the Irish/Celtic Christian tradition. Wilfred later became a saint. I thought Harffy’s depiction of him interesting, and it lifted the book beyond the common sword-fighting story. Unfortunately, I found one fight scene confusing, due to editing errors with a character name. Otherwise, the book is expertly written, and will please lovers of a fight, with good reason to fight it.
