Battle Ballad of the Royal Knight

King Elias Pendragon, now armed with Excalibur and firmly established as the ruler of Camelot, is suddenly faced with conundrums that no sword can conquer. Shanista, daughter of a thwarted usurper and love interest of the first knight of the realm, is on trial for the attempted murder of former Queen Guinevere. Is there a way for this matter to be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved? Or will Shanista be the next woman to tear apart the court of Camelot?

Elias is expected to form a marital union of his own. Torn between conflicting emotions, will he accept Belinda, the logical and expected choice as his wife and queen? Or like Sir Lancelot, is he hopelessly in love with a woman who is already betrothed to his closest friend? It will take the new King and all his councilors' wisdom to successfully navigate these imminent issues and domestic controversies.

Meanwhile the Vikings of Scandia have united, mass producing the most dangerous weapon from the Roman world, and are equipped with enhanced metallurgy and a terrifying navy. They are subjugating the continent of Europe, which cries out to Camelot for assistance. Will King Elias be able to rally his country in time to meet this enemy on neutral ground? Or will Pendragon's kingdom be the next to fall to the northern pagan menace?

All these questions will be answered by Battle Ballad of the Royal Knight, the third installment of the critically acclaimed Camelot Chronicles series, written in melodic verse of joyful gravity. Step through a portal into an English Renaissance as engaging as anything History can provide.

-- Robert Murray