He was a farmer content with his life; madly in love with his wife and he cherished their daughter. However, fifth century Britannia is not known for peace since the Roman legions left as warring tribes and minor monarchs fight for control with no remorse over collateral damage. Someone killed his beloved wife and Malgwyn ap Cuneglas; bitter and irate, leaves his daughter with his brother and joins King Arthur's banner. Malgwyn kills many in battle wanting to die, but Arthur saves his life after his sword arm is severed. Instead of rejoicing he becomes a drunken scribe already known as Mad Malgwyn for his exploits of killing Saxons.

When young peasant Eleonore is brutally sliced in half near Merlin's home with her heart found inside his abode, Arthur knows he must enforce the justice that he believes in; but that means arresting his beloved former tutor. Arthur rejects the notion that Merlin murdered the girl or anyone, and appoints Malgwyn to find out the truth.

Before the mad man can begin his inquiry, a woman, who was seen talking to Eleonore just before she was killed, is also murdered in the same brutal manner. The superstitious peasants believe Merlin killed both women using magic and the unrest is deep with civil war very probable. Also missing is a guard who witnessed Eleonore talking to a hooded man just before her death.

Malgwyn may hate Arthur for saving his life, but he knows he must solve this murder mystery as soon as he can or Arthur will not be crowned Rigotamos (High King) and his adversarial conspirators will have gotten away with the slayings.

This is a refreshing twist to the Arthurian legend as this Camelot is more a gritty fifth century Noir. The realm is filled with war, double crosses, and conspiracies as there is no Camelot or round table with chivalrous knights. Arthur's castle is wood and stone at a time when no one is safe. After the Romans leave, Britannia slides into chaos from the broken infrastructure.

Although he believes strongly in justice, King Arthur is ruthless; if he was not he would be dead. He kills with cold precision and punishes opponents with diabolical messages for their comrades. Saxons and even Druids are wary of him. Yet he is also a pious person who believes in Christ at a time when his people are returning to the old gods and their Druid priests. He loves Genevieve but cannot marry her as that would be political suicide since she was a nun and broke her vows; she is his mistress instead as the people would expect of a fallen woman. In summary, he is tough and hard as those traits are required by anyone thriving to become the High King.

Malgwyn is the narrator who sees the real Arthur inside the masquerade of the ruthless ruler. He respects the king though he also loathes him for saving his life. This is why Arthur trusts him more than anyone except his aging tutor. His inquiry brings a sense of time and place as the audience will feel they are in the beginning of the Dark Ages in feral Britannia and not the chivalrous contentment of Camelot. The whodunit is terrific filled with twists along the way, but this opening gamut of an ancient historical mystery series belongs to Tony Hays' turning the Arthur legend into a grim dark realm in which chivalry is not even a consideration if you want to live.