The Tale of Krispos

by Harry Turtledove

The dazzling story of a boy who rises from poverty and hardship to become the greatest leader his world has ever knownKRISPOS RISINGBorn a ragged peasant, Krispos lives on the family farm until crushing taxes drove him from the land he calls home. With only a single gold piece to his name--a gift from a nomad chieftain who claimed it carried magic--Krispos heads for the imperial capital, Videssos, and into a world of peril and possibility. KRISPOS OF VIDESSOSKrispos' reign as emperor of Videssos shows every sign of being brief and very bloody--for trouble is brewing. Civil war has erupted, and as rebel troops take the field against the untried emperor, outland raiders are sweeping down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. How long can Krispos hope to keep head and crown together?KRISPOS THE EMPERORA strange heresy has taken root in the land and soon dissent flares into open revolt as Krispos faces his greatest challenge: To save his empire from tearing itself apart, he wages an ev