Divided Empire
By Brian Kitchen
Britain, 391
AD.
The
geographical, political and social outlines of the annexed nation are being
constantly redefined, as the battling powers in Rome attempt to seize control
of the Empire.
Flavius
Vitulasius and his trusted associate, Siward, are journeying to receive a
highly confidential mission, across the narrow sea, from the Master of Offices
in Gaul.
On their path,
they stumble upon a seeming damsel in distress, her carriage under attack from
bandits. Using all their prowess and experience, Flavius and Siward rescue the
damsel from certain death. Nevertheless, the beautiful young lady, Corellia
Velva, is not as she seems.
When Corellia
slips away the following night, Flavius thinks nothing of it. He has orders
passed down from the Emperor himself to attend to. A document, the ‘Pagan
Concord’, threatens to pull apart Britain at the seams, creating the lurking
fear of civil war between the Christians and Pagans.
If Flavius and
Siward can recover the ‘Pagan Concord’, they will be able to unmask the
conspirators behind the unrest. With the help of an ardent Christian, Lucius
Aurelius, the trio commence their enquiries in a clearly divided Britain.
However, their
expedition takes an unexpected turn when they visit the town of their first
suspect. Once again, they come across Corellia. She fervently denies any
knowledge of Flavius and Siward, suggesting that it is a case of mistaken
identity, prompting suspicion from Flavius.
The disquiet
among Pagans soon becomes clear, as ritualistic sacrifices and mysterious
disappearances soon become the norm, while Flavius attempts to track down the
‘Pagan Concord’ and save the country of his origin. It is not long before he
has some unwelcome attention, as murderous villains stalk his every move.
Can Flavius
locate the document in time?
Is there more to
Corellia than meets the eye?
Can he escape
the clutches of his murderous pursuers, and uncover a conspiracy that goes
right to the top?
Divided
Empire is a
compelling piece of historical fiction. The first in the series, there is an
unexpected twist around every action-packed corner.
Dark Betrayal
(Divided Empire Book 2)
Britain, February 392
AD.
Flavius Vitulasius is at his father’s villa in Ad Trivonam when he receives a letter from his boss, Aulus, informing him of his latest mission.
Flavius is a former soldier who is now a Magistriani. He works with his friend Siward.
The Roman Empire is on the brink of civil war.
The Western Roman Emperor Valentinian has died in mysterious circumstance following a long running dispute with the commanding general of his army, Arbogastes, a Frank.
It is feared that Arbogastes has a candidate he will install on the Western throne as his puppet.
The Eastern Emperor Theodosius, fears that the Empire will once more be plunged into civil war. The war chest is depleted, and Theodosius needs the money to finance an army.
Previously Emperor Theodosius spared the lives of the usurper Magnus Maximus’ wife Elen and their two children when he was overthrown.
Emperor Theodosius wants Flavius and Siward to find Elen. She might know what happened to the Silver Host, a treasure believed to have been hidden by Magnus and his men that can fund the looming civil war.
Joined by their friend Lucius, their mission takes Flavius and Siward throughout Britain and Segontium and across the sea to Hibernia in search of the Silver Host.
Yet an old enemy always seems one step ahead of them: the Saxon woman, Gunhilde, who is working for Arbogastes’ chief agent in Britain.
In Hibernia Flavius and his friends must infiltrate a dangerous court to free a man with vital information. However, what affect will their actions have in the perilous court of the High King?
Returning to Britain, Flavius, Lucius and Siward finally learn the truth about the Silver Host, but a more dangerous situation has now arisen.
The political situation is now on a knife edge.
Flavius, Siward and Lucius soon find out that those who they once thought of as friends will now betray them. A woman who was abandoned and abused as a child, and a group of women loyal to the Goddess, are now their biggest threat.
Rich with historical detail and intrigue, Dark Betrayal is an action adventure and a must for anyone interested in the time when Rome’s rule was threatened by political intrigue and barbarian uprisings.
Flavius Vitulasius is at his father’s villa in Ad Trivonam when he receives a letter from his boss, Aulus, informing him of his latest mission.
Flavius is a former soldier who is now a Magistriani. He works with his friend Siward.
The Roman Empire is on the brink of civil war.
The Western Roman Emperor Valentinian has died in mysterious circumstance following a long running dispute with the commanding general of his army, Arbogastes, a Frank.
It is feared that Arbogastes has a candidate he will install on the Western throne as his puppet.
The Eastern Emperor Theodosius, fears that the Empire will once more be plunged into civil war. The war chest is depleted, and Theodosius needs the money to finance an army.
Previously Emperor Theodosius spared the lives of the usurper Magnus Maximus’ wife Elen and their two children when he was overthrown.
Emperor Theodosius wants Flavius and Siward to find Elen. She might know what happened to the Silver Host, a treasure believed to have been hidden by Magnus and his men that can fund the looming civil war.
Joined by their friend Lucius, their mission takes Flavius and Siward throughout Britain and Segontium and across the sea to Hibernia in search of the Silver Host.
Yet an old enemy always seems one step ahead of them: the Saxon woman, Gunhilde, who is working for Arbogastes’ chief agent in Britain.
In Hibernia Flavius and his friends must infiltrate a dangerous court to free a man with vital information. However, what affect will their actions have in the perilous court of the High King?
Returning to Britain, Flavius, Lucius and Siward finally learn the truth about the Silver Host, but a more dangerous situation has now arisen.
The political situation is now on a knife edge.
Flavius, Siward and Lucius soon find out that those who they once thought of as friends will now betray them. A woman who was abandoned and abused as a child, and a group of women loyal to the Goddess, are now their biggest threat.
Rich with historical detail and intrigue, Dark Betrayal is an action adventure and a must for anyone interested in the time when Rome’s rule was threatened by political intrigue and barbarian uprisings.
Brian Kitchen
Brian Kitchen lives in Burton upon Trent, England and enjoys walking in the
countryside, photography, reading, writing, visiting museums and historic sites
& buildings and supporting Burton Albion. He first became interested in the
history of Roman Britain as a child and loved the Eagle of the Ninth trilogy
of novels by Rosemary Sutcliff. The first of the Flavius Vitulasius
novels, Divided Empire is his first published novel.
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