Chapters 1, 2 and 3 Summary

In 1099 in England, Madelyne gets a look at her brother's captive. Louddon has ignored a flag of truce, captured Duncan Wexton, and ordered his soldiers to freeze the man to death. The plan is to then dump his body so that Duncan's death can't be traced. When Louddon's soldiers tire of watching Duncan - who isn't acting very cold at all - they go inside. Madelyne uses the opportunity to cut Duncan's ropes and to help him inside. There, she helps him dress and holds his cold feet to her bare belly in order to warm them. She then offers to help him escape through a secret passageway.

What Madelyne hasn't seen is Duncan's men coming over the castle wall to invade Louddon's household. Within minutes, there's a battle raging and Madelyne can do nothing but watch. As it seems one...