The Golden King’s wedding took place at Castle Gloinmere. The alliance between Skye and Yves is sealed and the couple is happy. But Cyan Dag, a knight of Gloinmere, discovers the Lady of Skye is not what she seems. This doppleganger has enscorcelled the king and wears the queen’s crown. Determined to free his king and set the false marriage aright, Cyan sallies forth to free the true Lady of Skye from her tower prison.

The quest flows through a dream-like miasma as the good knight journeys west. Far away, the Lady in the tower sits by her mirror, sewing pictures of all she sees within, including the approach of Cyan. The ancient magic of Skye casts false towers in Cyan’s path to delay, snare or kill him. He is beset by bandits, tempted by treasure and confronted by Thayne Ysse, a foeman with a score to settle.

Thayne seeks vengence and freedom, through war with Yves, if necessary. Cyan is able to settle the old war debts. Later, Cyan is befriended by Sel a lost soul, seeking to know who she is and to recover what she has lost. By aiding them, Cyan is able to fulfill his quest, prevent a war, find the true tower and free the Lady.

The book dedication acknowledges the gift of Loreena McKennitt’s “The Visit”. Being curious, I listened to the music. I harkened to the “The Lady of Shallot” track. It was the story of a lady in a tower, watching a mirror and weaving the images within, as the days and knights moved past her. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?

A good book and inspirational music, what more would one need? The fabulous cover art by Kinuko Y. Craft!