Beware the power of vows... Edith is an Anglish girl, living at the time of the legendary King Arthur. When she and her brother Archibald are little children, they witness the violent killing of their mother, and share a solemn vow of vengeance. But Edith grows up to be the privileged daughter of a thegn; her ambition to ride to quest is disallowed by her position and her sex. Whilst Archibald sets out to fulfil his quest, Edith is expected to make a high-status marriage to the noble Lord Kyneth. But a vow taken with honour cannot lightly be laid down. Edith's vow comes back to face her as she realises that the future course of her life might not be her own to choose.