In medieval Scotland, a Highlander picks up his sword against his
oppressors. "Duncan excels at old-fashioned swashbuckling fantasy" (RT
Book Reviews).
All of Europe is under the control of the Khan, whose conquering armies
swept across the West in 1244. Scotland, in addition, lies under the
heel of England. Young Toby Strangerson, a half-English bastard, reared
by a witchwife, wants only to shed his hated "Sassenach" blood and free
his beloved highlands. Toby wields a sword as the outlaw Longdirk. The
sword can cut down men like so many stalks of corn. But stranger winds
are swirling and howling across the lochs, eldritch winds that are
ridden by "hobs" and "wisps" and demons. The enemy Sassenach king is
also a sorcerer. His demon soul needs a body and his Black Arts can free
Europe from the Khan's Golden Horde.
This book was originally published under the pseudonym Ken Hood.