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A stunning tale of romance and magic set against the legendary backdrop of King Arthur's court. At nineteen the beautiful Lady Rhian is clearly of marriageable age. But her father seems reluctant to give his blessing to any of her suitors. When she discovers the true reason for this - that in return for her mother's life he promised her to a sorcerer - she runs away to join a convent. The sorcerer, Euberacon, is determined to exact his payment and waylays Rhian on the road, but she is rescued by the valiant Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, who gallantly offers to escort Rhian to Camelot. Gawain has grave tidings to bring to Arthur - the Saxons are growing restless, and the threat of war looms. He has taken a great risk in stopping to help Rhian. But when a band of Saxons attacks them, Rhian proves that her skills include more than tapestry and gossip - and Gawain will be captivated as much by her bravery as by her beauty.
When Lady Rhian flees a dark bargain made by her father, she finds herself entangled in the political and magical turmoil of King Arthur's court. Rhian seeks to escape a sorcerer named Euberacon, who claims her as payment for a past debt, forcing her to abandon her home for the sanctuary of a convent. Her path crosses with Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table, who is currently navigating the mounting threat of a Saxon invasion. The narrative follows their journey toward Camelot, where Rhian must reconcile her own survival with the broader dangers threatening the kingdom. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track the shifting loyalties and escalating tensions between the protagonists and their adversaries.
This work presents a traditional interpretation of Arthurian myth, focusing on the intersection of courtly romance and supernatural conflict. The narrative structure emphasizes the classic tropes of the knight-errant and the damsel who defies expectations, grounding the fantasy elements in a recognizable historical framework. Readers likely appreciate the pacing of the adventure, which balances the internal struggle of the protagonist with the external pressures of a kingdom at war. The characterization of the leads suggests a focus on the tension between duty and individual desire, a common theme within the Arthurian subgenre. The prose maintains a consistent tone that aligns with the conventions of romantic fantasy, providing a clear and accessible entry into the legendary world of Camelot.
Page Count:
416
Publication Date:
2005-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ISBN-10:
0007171099
ISBN-13:
9780007171095
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