Bernard Hamermesh

Dawn at Kephissos Bernard Hamermesh

The Almugavars are mercenaries from Catalonia sent to Sicily after the Sicilian Vespers following the events of Easter Monday 1282 at request of Commune of Palermo. A 20-year war occurs. The tale is told by Jucef Del Cavaleria who is sent to Palermo to help organize the revolt against the Angevin ruler of Sicily. He rescues Judith, an Angevin, from the rebelling mob and they fall in love. Jucef plays a major role in the events of the war but the lovers are separated but their paths cross at long intervals. Jucef helps find a way to end the war and is sent to Constantinople as the Ambassador from Sicily. The Almugavars are hired by the Greek Emperor to fight the Turkish tribes in Anatolia. They are successful but are forced to leave. They now are called The Grand Catalan Company and are hired by various princes in Frankish Greece. When the Duke of Athens refuses to pay them their just wages he decides to eliminate them. A battle at the stream of Kephissos takes place.