The War Lord

Chrysagon and his men arrive to defend the Flemish village and drive off the Frisian raiders. The attackers withdraw, but they leave behind a boy, the son of their leader, who conceals his identity. The village wins a fragile reprieve, and Chrysagon begins to sense the cost of keeping their goodwill.

Bronwyn is harassed by Chrysagon's men, and Chrysagon intervenes to rescue her. The act marks the beginning of a deeper connection, as Chrysagon feels drawn to the woman he has just saved. The rescue also sets in motion tensions between duty to the duke and personal desire.

Chrysagon finds himself increasingly attracted to Bronwyn, and his thoughts keep returning to the rescued girl. He begins to question his loyalties as his personal feelings conflict with his obligations. The bond between them grows quietly in the days that follow.

Odins, the village chief, seeks Chrysagon's permission for Bronwyn to marry his son Marc. Chrysagon reluctantly approves, yet privately regrets the arrangement and reveals a desire for Bronwyn himself. The decision tests his sense of duty and longing.

Bronwyn and Marc marry in church, signaling the village's alliance and Bronwyn's new status. The moment is overshadowed by Chrysagon's inner conflict and the unspoken tension between him and Bronwyn. The celebration marks a turning point in relationships within the village.

During the wedding celebrations, a riotous pagan ritual unfolds. Chrysagon is confronted with the old droit du seigneur, which the church condemns, and Odins asserts that the lord's right might still be exercised if the ancient rites require it. The scene pits old beliefs against church doctrine and personal desire.

Bronwyn is to be brought at the rising moon and reclaimed at sunrise as part of the ritual. Chrysagon agrees to the Druid path, and he guards a ring of fire on a high place with his men ready for the ritual. The plan sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between duty and affection.

Bronwyn is brought to the high place, and as the sun rises, Chrysagon places his father's ring on her hand. He declares he will not surrender her, signaling a personal defiance of the old rite. The moment cements their bond and alters the power dynamics in the village.

Marc and many villagers react with outrage when Bronwyn does not return to him, not realizing she stays by choice with Chrysagon. The community's loyalties grow tangled as affection and duty pull in different directions. The situation foreshadows further conflict.

The village sends Marc to contact the Frisians, presenting evidence that the boy is alive. Bronwyn and Chrysagon remain perched atop the keep, their future together uncertain as the siege looms. The message creates a new alliance dynamic with the Frisian threat.

Frisians besiege the keep with a battering ram, pressing toward the walls. The defense adapts with improvised tactics and the help of Bors, stalling the assault while the siege tightens around the village. The conflict becomes a test of endurance for Chrysagon and his people.

Draco is killed during the chaotic assault. Chrysagon saves the rescued boy and leads them toward the Frisian camp, where the leader offers sanctuary for Bronwyn. Chrysagon decides to leave the fief in trusted hands and rides off with his wounded companion, ending the immediate siege on a tentative note.