Known for her compassion and skills as a midwife to
horses, the young Etienne had run to get 20 year old
Sybilla Corbuc to help birth a foal. Knowing how Etienne's
mother, the poor widow Margery, depended on the horse to
live, Sybilla slipped into the stable to help. Working in
the dark, Sybilla still was very worried. New church rules
from the Bishop forbid the practice and if caught, she
would be branded as a witch and cast out naked into to the
woods. Even if she survived that fate, she would be forced
to live as a Separate -- never to be part of community life
again. A fate almost worse than itself and Father Ambrose
was determined to catch her in the act as he had delighted
in warning her.
Sir Guy of Warwick, also known as Shadow Rider, continually
roamed the woods at night seeking the murderer of his
sister, Roselynn and her baby son, John. Traveling with
his loyal friend, Simon, Sir Guy had sought shelter in the
stable. There, he discovered the newly born colt with four
white socks -- a sign that the Seer Morna had told him would
lead him to his sister's murderer.
He knew the Sheriff was after him as he had been falsely
accused of stealing Lord Hamon's emerald by Hamon's wife,
the cruel Lady Avelina. While currently impoverished, Sir
Guy still followed his own code of ethics. He had sworn by
oath to serve King Richard and by felty to the Earl of
Ketchem. Discovering both the colt and then the lovely
Sybilla, they had a little tussle. Investigating the noise,
the Sheriff and his men enter the stable. As the Sheriff
gets ready to throw Sybilla into Gambolt prison, Sir Guy
saves her life by forcing her to be his servant. He tells
the Sheriff, she will be leaving Cornbury with him.
While Sir Guy owns the property where his sister was
murdered, he had no interest in living there and instead
preferred lowly quarters at Ketchum castle with the Earl
and his wife, Lady Claire. While her life was saved
temporarily, Sybilla was devastated. How could she have
allowed herself to have the same fate as her mother? And
how was she to survive with Sir Guy? He was bound and
determined that he would own her beloved Regalo, the young
colt, and she was equally determined to keep him. Then,
when Regalo, the potential destrier, starts to bark like a
dog and star gaze, how could she prove that it was not
witchcraft but the result of his prolonged birth? Even
worse, what would happen to her if the evil Lord Hamon
beats Sir Guy and he loses everything that belongs to him?
You too will want to find out how things turn out as you
immerse yourself in this gripping feudal romance. Right
from the start, Kathrynn Dennis masterfully pulls you right
into the scenes and suspense of English life in 1390. The
story's strong plot, wonderful lead characters, and witty
dialogue, including those of the secondary characters, will
fully delight and captivate you. SHADOW RIDER is one book you
definitely won't want to put down! A great read!
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy