A powerful novel of intrigue, sacrifice, savagery and holy war, by the author of The Mosaic of Shadows and Knights of the Cross.

August 1098: Kerbogha's army has been destroyed, and the crusaders are at last secure in Antioch. But internal quarrels consume them: the princes, Raymond and Bohemond are almost at war over possession of the conquered city, and with Adhemar dead there is no one to enforce unity.

Meanwhile, Demetrios Askiates longs to return home to his family. But now, the only way home leads through the holy city of Jerusalem. But first things first, the Franks must be prized out of Antioch. With the princes deadlocked, Demetrios reluctantly enlists the help of the visionary preacher Peter Bartholomew, finder of the holy lance. When Peter rouses the peasants, who form the bulk of the crusaders, the bickering princes are forced to listen, and the crusade at last sets out.

But Peter is a dangerous ally, and his newfound power begins to derange him. Finally, a year after the capture of Antioch, the crusaders reach Jerusalem. And when at last, after a three-day onslaught, the city falls, Demetrios must find his family while the crusaders' journey reaches its terrible apotheosis in a nightmare of violence, bloodshed and slaughter.