Octavia Randolph · 2023 · sea

It is water Dwynwen lifts in her cup of silver, and water the Lady Luned uses in her scrying bowl - and it is over water that one must travel to resolve an old conflict. Kilton on its seaside cliff is racked by inner turmoil: Ceric, on the margin of sanity, finds strength and even bliss returning to him, but not without price, as his young brother Edwin grasps for a possession he never fully won. Hrald is summoned to Witanceaster by King Aelfred himself and awarded a rare prize, and a chance meeting in the King's hall proves more Fate-ful than the young Jarl of Four Stones could have imagined - the one challenge he cannot overcome. On Gotland the peace of Tyrsborg fractures as Sidroc and Ceridwen are forced to confront what they once did.

1. 1
   Four Stones

   The Jarl of Four Stones is called south by the King of Wessex - a Dane summoned to a Saxon court, which tells you how far the world has turned since Yrling took this hall by night.

2. 2
   Witanceaster

   Aelfred's chief town. Hrald is awarded a rare prize; and a chance meeting in the King's hall proves more Fate-ful than he could ever have imagined - the one challenge he cannot overcome. Meanwhile the King's bailiff Raedwulf takes Lady Aelfwyn to his hall in Defenas, and a new life, carrying her small grandson Cerd and her youngest daughter Ealhswith with her.

3. 3
   Kilton

   The hall high on its seaside cliff, racked by inner turmoil. Ceric comes back from the margin of sanity to strength and even bliss - and the price is paid by his brother Edwin, Lord of Kilton, grasping at a possession he never fully won.

4. 4
   Gotland

   Over water one must travel to resolve an old conflict. The Baltic road again, out round the Skaw and down through the Danish islands.

5. 5
   Tyrsborg

   The peace and security of the hall above the bay is fractured: Sidroc and Ceridwen are abruptly forced to confront their past actions. Unexpected alliances, and daring risks.