It is the final years of the 18th century, but a world which few would recognise. The people of Europe shelter in small islands of safety, havens from the enchanted wilderness - the strange boundless forests men call the Tumble. It is across this demon haunted landscape that the low-born officer Taliesin must lead his men, caught up in the deadliest of intrigues while fighting wars for a noble class which despises him.

With vicious murderers from the worst gutters in the Realm marching behind him, and the forces of the most powerful nations of the mainland arrayed against him, the odds are stacked against Taliesin. Heavily.

Yet he will fight on, battling armies, weirdsman sorcerers, assassins, beastmen and cross into the face of hell itself.

Not for loyalty, or a grudging respect for his scheming monarch - not even for the small mountain of silver the Island Queen has promised him if he succeeds.

But because fighting is all he and pressed band of cut-throats have ever known.