He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons' strength from his watery base and help them to take on the Vikings once more. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. THE PALE HORSEMAN the compelling sequel to the bestselling THE LAST KINGDOM.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |