Book excerpt: “Butter-gold and cruelly hooked, the beak ripped a ragged gash across the newborn’s throat.” Blacksmith’s son, Conall Mac Gabhann’s only desire was to follow in his father’s footsteps and enjoy a long life with his childhood love, Mórrígan. The slaughter of their parents dashed those dreams. Fuelled by vengeance, both embark on the dark path of retribution. From the ancient forest, two great eagles take wing. With amber-gold eyes, Fate and the Goddess watch, ready to guide and meddle in human lives. Now ‘king over kings’, Conall must complete his geis—at any cost. He takes another stride closer to Rome and a reckoning with Marcus Fabius Ambustus. Flat-bottomed biremes carry Conall’s army across the Muir nIocht to crash on the shingle beaches of Northwestern Gaul. New enemies and uneasy alliances flourish. Assassins, treason, and betrayal thrive. Above all, Conall values loyalty. Thus, treason within the tribe sours his belly. Mercy will have no part in his response. ​​​​​​​The fourth novel in the Conall series, Conall IV: A Brace of Eagles, is a rousing epic of Celtic heroes and villains, bloody battles, political intrigue, honour, betrayal, tragedy and forbidden love. The Conall Series contains scenes of sex, violence, and language appropriate to the period (400 B.C.) in which it is set. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.