"The first born of Arthur will bring his end." When the high priestess Vyvian du Lac dies, Morgen le Fay-acolyte to the priestess, midwife to queens, apprentice to Merlin-is left mysteriously bereft of magic. She finds herself transported to the wild, ancient forest of Broceliande, which she must cross-and survive-to save Carelon from disaster. And death itself, it seems, is close on her heels. Morgen's daughter Llachlyn, her cousin Sir Galahad and their friend, the squire Percival, share a vision of the mysterious graal. Mawra-Arthur's jealous, spiteful queen, with ambitions on the graal of her own-threatens to send Llachlyn to a nunnery, but with Galahad's help she and Percival escape north to her cousin Sir Gawain's home. Gawain and Hwyfar, who have spent ten peaceful years away from court in a forbidden marriage, are now swept back into the secrets, lies and politics of Carelon. Merlin's darkest prophecy looms, the Council of Nine - Morgen's secret council of sorceresses - is broken, and the battle for Arthur's legacy has just begun...