The Poniard's Hilt; Or, Karadeucq and Ronan. A Tale of Bagauders and Vagres

A sprawling tale set in the turbulent years after the Frankish conquest of Gaul, the story follows the intertwined lives of Karadeucq and Ronan, two figures caught between the rising tide of feudal order and the stubborn resistance of the native peoples. Through the eyes of Araim, a descendant of a long‑lived family tracing its roots back to the ancient forest of Karnak, the narrative weaves together folklore, free‑booting bagauders, and the enigmatic vagres who haunt the borderlands. Early chapters introduce a vivid world of fairs, peddlers, and whispered legends, while the looming clash between invader and native begins to shape the destinies of the protagonists.

The novel’s rich historical backdrop pulses with the clash of swords and the murmur of secret pacts, as Karadeucq and Ronan navigate loyalties, love, and the shadow of looming war. Their journeys reveal the fragile humanity beneath the grand sweep of medieval upheaval, inviting listeners to experience a vivid portrait of an age where personal fate is forged in the crucible of emerging feudal power.