Byzantium

Born to rule Although born to rule Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work contemplation and dreams of the wider world a miracle bursts into Aidans quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world to the fabled city of Byzantium where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells to the Emperor of all Christendom. Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land as Aidan becomes by turns a warrior and a sailor a slave and a spy a Viking and a Saracen and finally a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantiums fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the greatest trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny.