In winter, Rhys and his cousin encounter a mounted warrior named
Gwalchmai. He accompanies them to their home for shelter from the cold. There, he is recognized by the head of the clan (and Rhys' father), Sion ap Rhys. Rhys asks Gwalchmai to accept him as a servant. As a favor to his father, Gwalchmai takes him to
Camlann, King Arthur's stronghold, where he can find himself a master. When they arrive, Gwalchmai keeps Rhys as his servant, to their mutual satisfaction. Rhys finds the fortress a pleasant place; all there are caught up, to varying degrees, with Arthur's vision of uniting and bringing peace to the land. Gwalchmai is sent as an ambassador to King
Maelgwn, one of Arthur's greatest foes. Rhys and Rhuawn, one of Arthur's warriors, accompany him. Gwalchmai discovers that his mother, the infamous
witch Morgawse, is the one plotting with Maelgwn. Also there are his father
King Lot and his younger brother
Medraut. Medraut begins to charm Rhuawn and Rhys, planting doubts about Gwalchmai's sanity. Rhuawn is won over, but not Rhys. Needing Medraut's assistance to break Rhys, Morgawse goes in search of him, giving Eivlin the opportunity to free Rhys and flee with him. When Eivlin is struck down, Rhys searches for help. He runs into a young boy named Gwyn, who takes them to his mother, a nun named Elidan, who is revealed as Gwalchmai's lost love - and their son. Medraut tracks Rhys down and takes him back to his mother, only to find Gwalchmai there. Gwalchmai defeats Morgawse in a battle of magic, leaving her exhausted, but physically unharmed. Gwalchmai awakens Eivlin and unsuccessfully tries to reconcile with Elidan. They return to Maelgwn's fortress, where it is revealed that Lot has died for no apparent reason. While Gwalchmai was away, Agravain killed his mother for murdering Lot. In a rage, Medraut decides to go to Camlann, to see
his father, Arthur, and to conspire against him. ==Reception==