Book excerpt: The legends of Charlemagne come to life in a saga of chivalry, secret romances, betrayal, revenge and magic. Bradamante, the niece of Charlemagne, and Ruggiero, a Saracen knight descended from Hector of Troy, are renowned warriors who meet and fall in love on a battlefield before being separated. This tale of impossible love is set against the backdrop of a holy war between Islamic and Christian armies and features legendary heroes Orlando and Renaud de Montauban.