Springtime in Styria. And that means war. There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle with the squabbling League of Eight and between them they have bled the land white. While armies march heads roll and cities burn and behind the scenes bankers priests and older darker powers play a deadly game to choose who will be king. War may be hell but for Monza Murcatto the Snake of Talins the most feared and famous mercenary in Duke Orsos employ its a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular a shade too popular for her employers taste. Betrayed thrown down a mountain and left for dead Murcattos reward is a broken body and a burning hunger for vengeance. Whatever the cost seven men must die. Her allies include Styrias least reliable drunkard Styrias most treacherous poisoner a massmurderer obsessed with numbers and a Northman who just wants to do the right thing. Her enemies number the better half of the nation. And thats all before the most dangerous man in the world is dispatched to hunt her down and finish the job Duke Orso started. . . show more