Summary

Orkise is loose. The snake-god of plague has been awakened by Lucia del Maino, the bastard daughter of the recently overthrown duke of Milan, Phillipo Visconti. With the venomous magic of Orkise at her command, Lucia plots to marry and then murder the usurper who now rules Milan, the condottiere Carlo Sforza--known to friend and foe alike as the Wolf the North.Other trouble is brewing as well. Sforza has his own bastard, Benito Valdosta, who is returning to Venice after having conquered the Byzantine empire. Benito has a score to settle with his father, and he will have the help of his half-brother Marco, who is the embodiment of ancient Etruria's mighty Winged Lion of St. Mark.Adding further to Sforza's predicament, yet another power has entered the fray. The terrifying sorcerer Count Mindaug has decided to settle in Milan. Will he ally with Sforza, or oppose him? Either will bring trouble, for if Mindaug aids the usurper he will arouse the fury of the Holy Roman Empire and the Knights of the Holy Trinity. Both of those great forces have sworn to destroy Mindaug and anyone who shelters him.On his side, Sforza has only the skill and cunning of his physician, Francisco Turner--who is on good terms with the Valdosta brothers and may be able to neutralize Venetian hostility. But even if he can, will that be enough to save the Wolf of the North? For out there in the countryside of northern Italy, Orkise is uncoiling all the plagues of hell.About Eric Flint:"Another engaging alternate history from a master of the genre."--Booklist". . . an old-style police-procedural mystery, set in 17th century Germany. . . . the threads . . . spin together . . . to weave an addictively entertaining story. . . . a strong addition to a fun series."--Daily News of Galveston County"This alternate history series is ... a landmark..."--Booklist"[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians."--Booklist"...reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis..."--Publishers WeeklyAbout Dave Freer: "Dave Freer always delivers compelling, fast-moving and addictive fantasy adventures."-Garth Nix, New York Times best-selling author of The Keys to the Kingdom series"Dave Freer's stories are always well-plotted, fast-paced and--most of all--a lot of fun to read."--Eric Flint, New York Times best-selling creator of the Ring of Fire seriesAbout A Mankind Witch, by Dave Freer:"Good characterization, ripsnorting action and an ingenious plot make this a feast. . ."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)