Believe or Die

On the eve of the English Civil War, two lifelong friends, Richard Mead and Wil Pitkin, become caught up in a series of tragic events which turn them into deadly enemies. Forced to take opposite sides in the war, their mutual hatred is only increased by their experiences in that terrible conflict. The end of the war does nothing to lessen the vendetta and Wil attempts to flee England with Mead in hot pursuit. However, while Roundhead and Cavalier have been slaughtering each other, Barbary Pirates, encouraged by the chaos, have been raiding the coasts of Britain in search of white slaves. Wil is taken in such a raid and finds himself in chains under the relentless Moroccan sun. Thwarted in his hunt for revenge, Mead is ordered to track down an over-enthusiastic Witchfinder whose zeal in the pursuit of Witchcraft is leaving such a trail of death that even the dour and self-righteous Puritan establishment of England is unsettled. But unexpected revelations occur and betrayal follows. Whether Puritan, Catholic or Muslim, the message appears to be the same everywhere. Believe as I do or die! But fate has not yet finished with Mead and Pitkin.