Having lost a wager on a rugby match, Gareth Lynn is obliged to tell his English friend, Matt Allcott, a tale in the tradition of an ancient Bard. Using the Welsh legend of Ceridwen, Gwion Bach, and the Cauldron of Inspiration as a framework, the wily Gareth unfolds an epic saga set in late 6th century Europe. The grisly murder of a senior Arian Christian clergyman fuels suspicion and mistrust amongst the disparate factions inhabiting the beleaguered City of Rome. As more deaths follow, a seething undercurrent of political and religious machinations spreads across the former western Roman Provinces, ensnaring pious Catholics, outraged Arians, incensed Langobards, determined Goths, ambitious Franks, arrogant Byzantines, desperate Britanni, bemused Avars, inscrutable Hebrews, stoic Angles and irascible Saxons. As the first major instalment of the tale ends, the Englishman and his wife Sarah, are left with a distinct impression that there is far more to their affable friend than meets the eye.