![]() In the west, Calder barely holds back the Union onslaught with some clever tricks. Afterwards, Dow tries to open peace-talks, using a captive Finree as go-between, but Kroy refuses at the insistence of Bayaz. On the second day, a Union counter-attack makes significant gains all across the line, and apparently killing Calder’s brother, Scale. On day one, Dow launches a surprise attack, that drives the Union back south of the river. In the Union camp, the ancient Magi Bayaz shows-up to “ help” Lord Marshal Kroy, having brought a new invention to test: cannons.Īt the Battle of Osrung, the Union Army enjoy significant numerical superiority, but the Northmen prove a stubborn enemy. Unwilling to accept his fate, Calder sets out to reclaim power from Dow, but finds few allies among the Northern warlords, and even his father-in-law urges him to back-off if he wants to stay alive. The implication is that Dow would like to see the treacherous prince killed in battle. Meanwhile, he summons Calder back from exile to play a role in the coming battle. In the Northern camp, Dow sends Craw’s dozen to defend the Heroes hilltop, driving-off some of The Dogman’s scouts. And finally, Beck, a young farm-lad craving to follow in his famous father’s footsteps, until his first taste of the atrocious waste of human life. Corporal Tunny, a long-serving veteran and cynical profiteer, who also does his best to keep his misfit rookies alive. Finree dan Brock, the venomously ambitious daughter of Lord Marshal Kroy. ![]() Bremer dan Gorst, King Jezal's disgraced former bodyguard, and a near unstoppable one-man-army. Prince Calder, Bethod's younger son, an infamous charmer and schemer among the straightforward Northmen. Curnden Craw, the aging chief of a crew of Named Men, known to all as a real straight edge. The story is told from the point of view of six characters. The title is a reference to a Stonehenge-like structure on a hilltop, over which both sides fight in the climatic three-day battle, as well as the grimly ironic deconstruction of heroes in wartime. ![]() He is opposed by Lord Marshal Kroy, commander-in-chief of the Union Army, with Dow’s former companion turned enemy, The Dogman, as a Union-ally. In the intervening years, Black Dow has been Protector of the North or stealer of it, depending on who you ask. But with both sides riddled by intrigues, follies, feuds and petty jealousies, it is unlikely to be the noblest hearts, or even the strongest arms that prevail.Įight years after the end of the original trilogy, The Union and The North are at war once again. Over three bloody days of battle, the fate of the North will be decided. But can he even tell what that is with the world burning down around him? He hardly even cares who wins any more, he just wants to do the right thing. Just as long as he doesn’t have to fight for it himself.Ĭurnden Craw, the last honest man in the North, has gained nothing from a life of warfare but swollen knees and frayed nerves. All he wants is power, and he’ll tell any lie, use any trick, and betray any friend to get it. Prince Calder isn’t interested in honour, and still less in getting himself killed. Obsessed with redemption and addicted to violence, he’s far past caring how much blood gets spilled in the attempt. Thousands of men are converging on a forgotten ring of stones, on a worthless hill, in an unimportant valley, and they’ve brought a lot of sharpened metal with them.īremer dan Gorst, disgraced master swordsman, has sworn to reclaim his stolen honour on the battlefield. ![]() The orders have been given and the armies are toiling through the northern mud. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbour, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. They say Black Dow’s killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls.
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