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Prologue

Northuland

1070

“I have seen him!” Rona hissed

“Where?” Lilythe steam above the kettle of thin stew her old nurse tended

“Careful, ave her was gentle “I saw hih these woods on Hew’s trail They stopped afrom the trees”

“What is he like?” Lily whispered, trying to still a tremor Radulf was her enemy, the man ished to conquer her

“Big Powerful A reen eyes watchful

Chilled, Lily turned her face away froaze “I must escape”

“Yes—tonight” The shadows in the s on swift feet through the forest “Your husband Vorgen is dead, your kinsman Hew has fled north, and this Radulf will coive up”

“If I surrender, I fear he will giveWilliam—ill crush me in his fist like a butterfly”

Lily shuddered She had seen enough of what William and his men had done to the north; for the past four years there had been nothing but war

Rona urged, “Follo over the border to Scotland; find sanctuary there”

“Run like a hare, you mean?” Lily’s ansas bitter

“Hew has run”

“I am not Hew”

No, thought Rona, you are not Gentle Lily had sought peace even while her father Olwayn, husband Vorgen, and kinsen were dead, and Hew gone, and Lily was left to bear the full brunt of Williaer

And William had sent Radulf to find her

“My lady,” Rona spoke fire the past, but the future is yet to be made”

“I feel as if I have no future”