Blame

DeFreveille, the Conqueror, is conquered. His children have the home he sought and war goes on. His friend and ally, Christophe Maides, has learned the truth of his parents' love for one another. Both men have found homes and women to love. Their children have their own battles to fight as they make their futures among friends, strangers and their fathers' enemies. Dafydd Garn owes his life to Marshal deFreveille but the death of his wife and infant son-a result of the continuing war in the northern regions of Wales-has embittered the man destined to inherit the land on the western coast of Pembrokeshire. His gratitude for his salvation is returned in kind as a price he willingly must pay, but he seeks his own death in battle with deFreveille's former ally whom Garn has pledged to destroy. As a token of his gratitude to Marshal, he agrees to attend a war council the Conqueror has called in yet another effort to bring to an end the war with the enemy whose purpose is to rid Garn's homeland of its independence from Saxon rule. Another battle may bring the longed for end to his life but only after he has killed the Saxon leader. Gwennan Pendyffryn has brought her children to the war council as a sign of commitment to her husband. A young woman stands among the younger children. The moment Dafydd sees her, his will to live is restored and his search for her begins. Her hair is the color of bright, golden sunlight and her smile, turned happily on her younger companions, filled his soul. In his own thoughts, Thank God I am alive, shook the silence of his heart.