Octavia Randolph · 2002 · overland

Ninth-century Wessex under siege, seen from a hall on a sea cliff. Ceridwen is mistress of Kilton now, wed to the blinded Gyric, while at the heart of the hall his brother Godwin fights the Danes and wants what he must not have. The book's one long road is Aelfwyn's: out of Danish Lindisse and down the length of Angle-land to Kilton, bringing word of what befell Four Stones - and bringing Sidroc, the Dane Ceridwen ran from and cannot forget.

1. 1
   Four Stones

   Aelfwyn, Lady of Four Stones, sets out from the Danish stronghold in Lindisse for Wessex. Behind her lie the events that will seal the Fate of both halls: Yrling dead at Godwin's hand, her father dead too, and the marriage Sidroc offers her afterwards - not for love, but to keep her Lady of Four Stones and safe from other Danes.

2. 2
   Kilton

   The Saxon stronghold on its cliff above the sea, where the peace and plenty Ceridwen has known give way to wary watchfulness. Aelfwyn arrives and recounts all that has happened; Ceridwen is confronted by Sidroc; and Godwin's unspoken desire, and the heir Ceridwen consents to bear him, bind Kilton and Four Stones together with something that will not come undone.