The horse was lathered and nearly spent. The animal was more used to the plow than the armored man and the woman it carried.

No use, the warrior thought. The horse would die soon, and leave them at the mercy of the two Vikings following. Better to pick the time and place himself.

'When we reach the trees, I'll pull up and turn, ' he said to her. 'You jump off, run '

So begins the exciting and moving story of Owen, the compassionate warrior-Bishop of Chantalon, and Elin, a woman of the Forest People and recent prisoner of the marauding Vikings. Skilled in the mystery and powers of the Old Ones of the forest, Elin combines her talents with Owen's strength and courage to defend Chantalon.

All the grittiness of an obscure time in European history adds authenticity to a large and colorful cast of endearing characters who will sweep the listener into a world of treachery and betrayal, loyalty and devotion.