SummaryShe was trained at St. Jude's Abbey in the knightly
arts—but her heart has no such defenses...
In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary
sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of
Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as
well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble,
these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal
family and England. Elspeth Braybrooke is one such woman...
At the bequest of the Queen, flame-haired Elspeth leaves St.
Jude's for Wales in search of a cursed rock—the
"Llech-lafar" or "Speaking Stone." For a prophecy warns that
if the King should step upon it, he will die.
While riding along the coast, Tarran ap Llyr—bastard
grandson of Princess Nest—comes upon a strange sight: a
red-haired beauty hanging from a castle's arrow slit. But
Tarran is shocked to discover that Elspeth is trying to get
into the castle rather than falling out of it.
Elspeth recognizes in Tarran a kindred spirit. He, like her,
is a well-trained warrior—though where she is
free-spirited, he is stern and guards his secrets closely.
And Elspeth knows that on this quest, any Welshman is not to
be trusted—especially one whose very touch blinds her
to every other thought...
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