Lady Ilena still cant believe she is hereditary chief of Dun Alyn, her new home in the North. She eagerly awaits the return of her betrothed, Durant of Arthurs table, and the time when Durant will rule beside her. But Britain is in a state of unrest. Despite Durants and Arthurs 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 Faolans marriage proposal in her loved ones absence, she sets off a bloody battlewith grave results.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 friendsand new onesas she searches for Durant and for Britains protector, the legendary Arthur.From the Hardcover edition.