410 AD. The Roman Empire is in flames as the Barbarians break through the frontier and flood the land. Rome needs every soldier she has to protect the Empire and so the Legions are withdrawn from Britain, leaving the British to defend themselves as best they can. Uther Pendragon is the last prince of the Belgae when Rome withdraws the Legions from Britain. Tutored by Merlin he is thrust into manhood by the tumultuous times into which he is born. Betrayed by his allies he is forced to flee to the Roman province of Brittany where he is recruited by the Roman warlord Aetius. He becomes a player in the drama of the Decline and Fall of Rome in the West: a lover of the Empress Dowager and the father of the Once and Future king: Arthur.