Two thousand years ago, as the Romans invade Britannia, the princess whowill become the powerful queen of the great tribe of the Brigantes,watches the enemies of her people come ever closer. Cartimandua's worldis, from the start, a maelstrom of love and conflict; revenge andretribution. In the present day, Edinburgh-based historian, Viv LloydRees, has immersed herself in the legends surrounding the Celtic queen.She has written a book and is working on a dramatisation of the youngqueen's life with the help of actress, Pat Hebden. Cartimandua's lifetakes one unexpected turn after another as tragedy changes the course ofher future. But the young queen has formidable enemies - among themVenutios, her childhood sparring partner, and Medb, a woman whose jealousythreatens not only her happiness but her life. Viv's Head of Department,Hugh Graham, hounds her as she struggles to hide her visions ofCartimandua and her conviction that they are real. Her obsession growsever more persistent and threatening as she takes possession of an ancientbrooch that carries a curse. Both Pat and Hugh are drawn into this dualexistence of bitter rivalry and overwhelming love as past envelopespresent and the trio find themselves facing the greatest danger of theirlives.