The Lion and the Asp
In the seventh century a Byzantine Emperor, Justinian II, is deposed and mutilated by having his nose and his tongue cut off. Eight years later, after an arranged marriage with Theodora, an inspirational ‘gypsy’ princess, he is attempting to regain his throne. He is helped in this enterprise by an odd collection of adventurers and hangers-on. We learn the stories of Justinian’s principal friends and supporters; who include Michael his ex-Chamberlain from his time as Emperor, his Viking bodyguard, Harald, and most importantly, Honorius, a defrocked monk who is Justinian’s spy in Constantinople.