The year 881. 10 years have passed since 15-year-old Ceridwen left her Priory home. She has been married, widowed and has buried a daughter. In the previous book Ceridwen and Sidroc were captured by slavers before escaping to build a new lives together on the Baltic island of Gotland. This is not without regret for leaving their family and friends behind, but the only safe way to stay together is to keep hidden where Ceridwen’s brother-in-law Godwin can’t find them. Their new friends in the popular trading village are brew-house keeper Rannveig and her son, Tindr who has been deaf since a young body when he suffered a terrible fever that his two older sisters died from. His father has since died at sea, and his mother Rannveig is an important member of the little community. Ceridwen and Sidroc build their new life together, until Godwin suddenly appears one day with Ceridwen’s son Ceric and Sidroc’s son Hrald in tow. Godwin watched Sidroc leave before approaching, determined to take Ceridwen with him back to Kilton by any means. There is fantastic historical detail in this well-researched work of historical fiction. ( )