The Mark of the Horse Lord Author:Rosemary Sutcliff Phaedrus, an enslaved gladiator in northern Britain in the first century, earns his freedom by killing his best friend in an arena duel to the death. Within days of aimless drifting from his former occupation he is recruited by the leaders of a tribe from the far north to impersonate Prince Midir, who had been robbed of his right to the kingship... more » while in childhood in a brutal attack by the followers of the current ruler, the powerful Queen Liadhan.
As Midir, Phaedrus is expected to reestablish his kingship and his tribe's rule in the land of superstition, ancient ritual, fierce loyalties and deadly intertribal rivalry. Phaedrus finds companionship, respect, and much more --- a purpose and meaning to his life, as through rigorous training and initiation he begins to understand the the true significance of bearing the Mark of the Horse Lord.« less