The Young Stag

Soon after Arhianna begins her training at Dun Scáthach, restored memories throw her into a perilous emotional tailspin that results in deadly consequences. Her path winds into ever darker places in her search for redemption, triggering a painful transformation.

Taliesin, desperate to gain the skills required to defend his loved ones against the ancient powers that stalk them, commits to an apprenticeship under Amergin the Bard. His journey takes him far from Caer Leon, leaving Igerna to bear the heavy secret of Morgen's parentage alone.

Igerna shoulders her responsibility well, at first, raising Morgen as twin sister to her only son, Arthur. A twin birth is auspicious, and the people of Caer Leon rejoice that their king and queen have been so blessed. As the years pass, however, Morgen's birthright becomes more apparent, inciting gossip among the house servants. Morgen is, as expected, an enchanting and special child, gifted with supernatural abilities in spades. Unable to reach Taliesin and fearful that Morgen may soon become the object of ridicule-or worse, persecution-Igerna takes matters into her own hands. She journeys home with her children to seek the advice of the one other person in the world she feels might be able to help her daughter.

The wheel of fate turns as Morgen and Arthur come of age, sending them in separate directions. Once outside the safety of Caer Leon, those seeking to influence the two promising youths close in quickly, some well-intentioned, others ruthless and opportunistic.

Arthur is catapulted into the position he was born to fulfill, though perhaps not in the way anyone expected. Morgen, too, finds herself pulled toward an expected destiny, but conversely, one marked by efforts to prevent it, rather than facilitate it.

Both stand poised on the precipice of immense power, pulling everyone around them into their wake as they step into the roles that will be sung of for centuries to follow.