<p>Lady Ilena still can鈥檛 believe she is hereditary chief of Dun Alyn, her new home in the North. She eagerly awaits the return of her betrothed, Durant of Arthur鈥檚 table, and the time when Durant will rule beside her. But Britain is in a state of unrest. Despite Durant鈥檚 and Arthur鈥檚 efforts at unification, several neighboring fortresses have allied with Saxon invaders in the South. These tribes want Dun Alyn, and one tribal leader called Faolan will stop at nothing to get it. When Ilena refuses to accept Faolan鈥檚 marriage proposal in her loved one鈥檚 absence, she sets off a bloody battle鈥搘ith grave results.<br />

A warrior can commit no greater crime than to falter under attack, and now Ilena faces the ultimate punishment: she must leave Dun Alyn, alone, and may not return to her people until she has proved herself worthy to be their leader. The journey will take Ilena to old friends鈥揳nd new ones鈥揳s she searches for Durant and for Britain鈥檚 protector, the legendary Arthur.</p>