The Harp and the Blade Author:John Myers Myers This is a straight up historical novel adventure set in wild and lawless tenth century France. The protagonist is a wandering Irish bard, a younger son of an Irish chieftain with no inheritance, no roots, no alliances, and no loyalties except to poetry. While plying his trade in France, he runs afoul of a ruthless local strong man who styles him... more »self a Duke, and later rescues and allies himself with a young lord who is said Duke's only real competition. Through a series of adventures that include Viking raids, warrior monks, incognito rescues from castles, and nefarious bandits, as well as a few pitched battles, our hero matures and learns the value of cause and comrades.« less