She was trained at St. Jude's Abbey in the knightly arts - but her heart had no such defenses.

In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Elspeth Braybrooke is one such woman.

At the behest of the Queen, flame-haired Elspeth leaves St. Jude's Abbey for Wales in search of a cursed rock - the Llech-lafar or "Speaking Stone." For a prophecy warns that if the King should step upon it, he will die.

While riding along the coast, Tarran ap Llyr - bastard grandson of Princess Nest — comes upon a strange sight: a red-haired beauty hanging from a castle's arrow slit. But Tarran is shocked to discover that Elspeth is trying to get into the castle rather than falling out of it.

Elspeth recognizes in Tarran a kindred spirit. He, like her, is a well-trained warrior — though where she is free-spirited, he is stern and guards his secrets closely. And Elspeth knows that on this quest, any Welshman is not to be trusted — especially one whose very touch blinds her to every other thought.