Sarah Zettel, For Camelot's Honor

For Camelot's Honor

Sarah Zettel

Luna, Apr 2005, $13.99, 400 pp.

ISBN: 0373802188

Widow Adora is pulled in two directions as Arthur of Camelot and Urien of Eufaen want her to align her cantrev Cantru Pont Cymryd with them. Adora takes a daring approach, weighing the honor of being a vassal to both men while her daughter Elen crosses the bridge to help one of the fae l give birth. A healthy baby is born and Elen heads home, but finds Urien is the Lord and her mother is dead.

Morgaine le Fay cuts out Elen's heart and puts it inside a falcon so that whoever controls the bird has the woman also under a gaes. Round Table knight Sir Geraint falls in love with Elen while sensing her danger. He tries to rescue her and grabs the falcon just before it takes them to the land of fairy. Elen makes a deal with the Lord and Lady that she will return to them the Spear of Monewydden once she completes her vengeance on Urien. This means traveling to Morgaine's ally the Little King Gwiffert, who has plans for the female falcon with only Sir Geraint to keep Elen safe or die in the attempt.

The land where Gwiffert rules is loaded with magic and glamour making it difficult for the two outsiders to locate him until they observe how he treats his subjects. This is a microcosm of the bewitching tale that focuses on one of King Arthur's knights and the woman he loves. Sara Zettel has written an enchanting tale where magic is taken for granted in a similar way to how we accept technology. The Arthurian crowd will love this adventure and look forward to a sequel.

Harriet Klausner