For Caillean the enemies are twofold: the Romans, with their stone cities and foreign gods; and the growing bigotry of the Christians who share the Ladys sanctuary. And though it is told salvation will come through the union of her beloved Gawen, son of a hundred kings, and Sianna of the old people, the way lies not through victory, but sacrifice. Two hundred years later, Dierna finds she must turn to the old foe in her struggle against a new threat. Yet in striving to keep Romes British resources for the countrys own protection, may not her meddling in mens affair hasten the fall of the empire itself and damage Avalon? And Viviane faces desperate times indeed, for the last flicker of Rome is failing fast, and the Saxons ride roughshod over peoples and promises alike. But there is hope even in this extremity, for a Merlin is made among the Druids once more, and the day of the Defender, so long foretold, draws close ...