Aethelred's struggle to hold the throne is unrelenting as new and old challengers arise. He needs the help of Robert, Gemma, and the others from Stonewood, But Gemma and Sylph are gone, and Robert is reluctant to engage in more fighting, feeling they've taken too many risks already. Aethelred is soon to wed the daughter of Mercian king Offa to forge an alliance between the two kingdoms. Aethelred asks a simple favor of Robert, but favors are never as simple as they seem.