The Douglas Bastard

Normandy, 1338. Ten-year-old Archibald Douglas has nothing but a dagger, a legendary father’s name, and a burning vow to earn his way to greatness. Raised in King David’s exiled court, his childhood ends the moment he enters the service of the ruthless Knight of Liddesdale as a page and returns to a bleeding Scotland.

Forged in the fires of the Second War of Scottish Independence, Archie quickly learns the brutal arithmetic of survival. From the blood-slick ladders of Perth to the daring capture of Edinburgh Castle, his quick blade and quicker wits carry him through a land without mercy as he fights his way toward knighthood.

But the true horror of medieval warfare isn't found only on the battlefield. When Archie witnesses his own master commit the cold-blooded murder of a fellow Scottish hero, his world fractures. He is forced to realize that loyalty is a dangerous currency, and legends can cast a long, treacherous darkness. In a campaign where honor is a liability, Archie must navigate a web of deadly rivalries where a master who has lost his soul may still be the one who can lead them to victory.

The Douglas Bastard is a gritty, fast-paced coming-of-age epic that launches the Archibald the Grim saga. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, and Griff Hosker.