The Sunbird

Résumé du livre

Telemakos is the Grandson of two noble men: Kidane, member of the imperial parliament in the African kingdom of Aksum, and Artos, the fallen High King of Britain. He is also a remarkable listener and tracker, resolute and inventive in his ability to hide in plain sight. Now his aunt Goewin, Britain's ambassador to Aksum, needs his skill. Deadly plague has overtaken her own country; in order to keep Aksum safe, the emperor has accepted Goewin's advice and declared a quarantine. No one is allowed to enter or leave -- yet, even with this precaution, disease and death continue to spread. A desperate Goewin sets Telemakos a task. He must travel to Afar, where salt -- the currency of sixth-century Africa -- is mined, and discover who has been traitor to the crown, defying the emperor's command, spreading plague as the salt is shipped from port to port. This challenge will take all of Telemakos's skill and strength, his ability to stay silent, and extraordinary coura if he fails, it will cost him his life. The Sunbird is the third in Elizabeth E. Wein's ongoing Arthurian/Aksumite cycle. Its striking, spare language, riveting plot, and all-too-human characters are unforgettable. Book jacket.