They fought with typical bloodthirsty ferocity. Alexander's skill with his lance accounted for three of Bothwell's men in quick succession. His riders were equally successful with their lances, basket-hilted swords and daggers.' In 1588 the lawless Border Region was ravaged by the reiver bands of both Scotland and England. Alexander Elliot, chief of his own reiver family, is known and feared all over The Borders, along with his two sons; Sandy, tough, strong and obedient and Rabbie, hot-headed and headstrong. Maxwell, previously one of the most feared raiders in the entire Border Region, and banished to Spain by King James, is set to return under the secret promise of helping Philip ll invade England, but has other plans of his own, involving the Spanish Armada. Musgrave, former Captain of Bewcastle, is blackmailed into going on a secret mission to find out just what Maxwell is really up to. Preparing to deal with a punitive raid by Earl Bothwell, complicated by the fact that King James is leading an army to arrest Maxwell, Alexander Elliot awaits the signal from Big Jock and his sons. But thanks to Rabbie's hot-headedness, they have been captured by Maxwell and now await certain death ... Full of danger, double cross and intrigue.