The Sea People, a collection of disparate tribes living in the Mediterranean Basin, are causing chaos. Cities are being plundered and shipping captured or destroyed. Pirate activity decimates essential sea-borne trade. Ramesses appoints Nikolas, the 'Friend of Pharaoh', to the unfamiliar role of ambassador to co-ordinate action with the Achaeans and the Hittites to mitigate the ravages of the savage raiders and try to stave off a Dark Age when empires fall and civilisation collapses. Nikolas cuts like a knife through the society, politics, religion and beliefs of Ancient Egypt. With the prosperity of both the kmet of Egypt and his own fortunes at risk, Nikolas weaves a coalition from traditional foes and leads the attack against the enemy. Campbell weaves strong characters, historical detail and descriptive writing into a spellbinding story, making history come alive on the page.