Last of the Dragon Harpers — James Donaldson

Last of the Dragon Harpers is the first book of a four part series of historical romances that covers the tumultuous period of the latter sixth century of lower Scotland. The storyline blends Celtic myth and legend to tell the events that led to the rise of Northumbria and the collapse of the Celto-British resistance in the North of Britain. The hero and main protagonist of the story is Lailoken, the alter ego of the mad Merlin of the Dark Age Arderydd poem. In Book 1, Lailoken is caught between fate, love, and personal choices in a tragic struggle of change. Trained secretly by the great harper, Lofernios, to become the counselor and harper of the expected new grail king Peredur, destiny determines that Lailokens fate will be joined to that of Gwenddolau, son of Ceidio, a pagan king. Their friendship will place them in the center of political and religious intrigues and the search for love and happiness and lead to the great battle at Arderydd.