Blood Feud (The Vipers of Milan Book 1)

Sir John Hawkwood, the notorious English mercenary, is defeated in battle. His life is saved by Captain William Gold, a poor English squire who has risen through the ranks in the French and Italian wars. Gold is taken prisoner but ransomed and promoted for his heroism.

At the same time Gold makes a mortal enemy in Bernard de la Salle, a rival captain. Hawkwood pits the two men against each other, with the command of their own company as a prize. Gold defeats his enemy, but de la Salle escapes and swears revenge.

Meanwhile Hawkwood enters into a new contract with the ruthless Visconti brothers of Milan. They plan to use English mercenaries, known as condottiere, to pillage and conquer the Italian peninsula.

Hawkwood and his Italian lieutenant, Ambrogio Visconti, attack the city-states of Siena and Perugia. An epic final battle looms as Gold hurries to save his master.

The vipers of Milan will taste blood.