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    The Winter King
    The Winter King
    The Winter King
    Audiobook21 hours

    The Winter King

    Written by C. L. Wilson

    Narrated by Heather Wilds

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    An epic new fantasy romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author C. L. Wilson

    After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea's king by taking one of the man's beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter's battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother's death, rages on.

    Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father's palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig's icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion.

    As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin's wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter's passion—she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateJul 29, 2014
    ISBN9780062333766
    The Winter King
    Author

    C. L. Wilson

    C. L. Wilson wrote her first story at age six, many years, hundreds of false starts, and five completed novels later, she received “The Call” in October 2006, and sold her epic fantasy romance, Tairen Soul, at auction. Her debut novel spent two weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and her subsequent novels have gone on to hit a variety of bestseller lists including New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.

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    Reviews for The Winter King

    4.5/5

    84 ratings38 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Cornwell's opening act into his original interpretation of Arthur is a smash hit. I've read several reviews complaining of the slow plot development, yet this is necessary in order to introduce and build an incredible number of characters, sideplots, and scenery in Dark Age Britain. The attention to detail by Cornwell makes this work one of the best in modern historical fiction.
    • 4/5
      It's the first in a trilogy of what the Arthur story would've been had it actually been true. It's completely believable - Bernard Cornwell has a true gift for writing historical fiction. From the narrator's unique perspective, to the lush descriptions of the landscapes and the people, to the fantastically gruesome battle scenes - it's all done in such a way that you feel a sort of voyeuristic pleasure at watching these people's destinies unfold. It wasn't easy reading, to be sure, but it was certainly entertaining.
    • 5/5
      Quick disclosure --- I adore Arthurian legend and will read almost anything that promises a story with Arthur and the knights of the round table. I have to admit, this book did not disappoint.The Winter King is narrated by Derfel, a Saxon born ward of Merlin and a warrior in Arthur's army. He tells the tale for Igraine, Queen of Powys, who is his patron. He begins the long tale at the Tor, Merlin's home, when Mordred is born, the grandson of Uther Pendragon and the eventual leader of Dumnonia. Years of invasion, fighting, and suffering follow which he describes in detail. As a child, Derfel yearns to become a warrior and, years later, is granted his wish by Arthur. After proving his worth and loyalty, Derfel finds himself serving directly under Arthur. He travels across Britain fighting for the peace Arthur believes he can bring to the land. He eventually finds himself titled Lord Derfel and disagreeing with many of Arthur's ideas, yet, he fights anyway in the hope that the much wished for peace will come. It is also his friendship and admiration for Arthur that keeps him fighting, if for nothing else.Cornwell brings to life the dramatic fights, the grisly life, and spoils and indecency of war. He does not shirk from the brutality and blood and, if you happen to be squeamish, he may not be the author for you. I mean that in a very good way. He brings you into the fight, you hear the clanging of swords, smell the men, and feel the pain. He holds nothing back from the way he describes the lifestyles of the individuals, the rituals of the numerous religions, and the fighting itself. It is brutal, disgusting, and above all, fantastic.What I truly enjoyed about this book was the fact that it was told from an observer's point of view. I know Arthur and his tale, but to hear it from Derfel makes it fresh and interesting. I feel sometimes that I have read the same story over and over and this one felt very different. In fact, it made me want to read books two and three in the series. I want to listen to Derfel finish his tale and I want to know more about these brutal people.One drawback, there is an incredibly long list of characters in this book. Sometimes it can be hard to keep them straight but that didn't take much away from the story for me. Although, at times, it can be confusing since many of the spellings are similar. After you get into the story, the traits make each character unique, plus there is a list in the front of the book that is useful when you need to remember who someone is.
    • 5/5
      Like his literary ancestor, Sir Walter Scott, Bernard Cornwell is a best-selling author of historical fiction whose output is prodigious and has presumably made him wealthy. And the comparision shouldn't offend Walter Scott fans because Mr. Cornwell is really good. "The Winter King" is the first book of the "Warlord Chronicles" which represents Mr. Cornwell's attempt to portray Arthur as a real flesh-and-blood person rather than as a mythical figure. Of course, that's been attempted many times before (and in a variety of mediums) but I doubt that anyone has been more successful in breathing life into Arthur and the supporting cast of his legend. Of course, much of the book is fictionalized in the sense that it often departs from the legend but that's fair enough: the legend itself is fiction (although that isn't to say it can't have a historical basis). Much of the story is told (in hindsight) through the eyes of Derfel,an orphan who was adopted by the wizard Merlin and who grows up to be a great warrior in the service of Arthur. This device personalizes the story and gives it an immediacy which makes it seem that much more real. Adding to that illusion is the wealth of period detail which is a hallmark of Mr. Cornwell's works. I'm not going to say much about the plot other than it roughly parallels the legend (although it adds plenty of embellishments and twists). Overall, I found this triology to be a rich and satisfying read. Yes, it was written by a purveyor of mass-market fiction, but it's still a serious work.
    • 4/5
      This is a tale about King Arthur, but not with the typical romantic trappings which were created in the 1500s. This is the story of the Arthur who may have been, set in the early fifth century Britain. It is a fascinating look at a perilous time in the history of Britain, a time when cultures and religions are clashing and there is no certain outcome. The setting alone made this book worth the read for me. The author has illuminated the Dark Ages and made them come alive. The narrator of the tale was a warrior with Arthur and in his old age has become a monk. I am interested to see how he got there, because in the story he is a dedicated pagan and was raised by Merlin. One of the aspects of this story which I found most interesting was the description of the various religions and how the followers of each perceived each other. I look forward to finding and reading the sequels to this story. If I were to pick at anything, it might be that at times the story is repetitive. That didn't bother me enough to slow me down.
    • 5/5
      This has to be THE best book ever written. There is a line, about 100 pages in that reads "for at last Srthur had come" and iot never fails to bring racking sobs to my throat. How weird they must think I am ont he underground.
    • 3/5
      High King Uther has died, leaving his infant grandson as heir and his bastard son and gifted warlord Arthur as his protector in a country that has fallen into chaos, with threats from both within and without. Told in the first person from the flawed perspective of one of Arthur’s sworn soldiers, Derfel, in his old age, The Winter King humanizes many of the characters from the legendary tale of Arthur, bringing both perspective and realism to the story.

      I picked this up on the recommendation of some of the readers of /r/Fantasy, who suggested it as an Arthurian tale that might not drive me nuts. Unfortunately, I really just do not click with ye olde Arthur of the Britons, and I was honestly glad to be finished with this story, even though it was really written very well.

      I did kind of get a kick out of some of the locales of this book, though, as on one of my trips to England I went to Glastonbury and got to see the holy thorn and the tor, and see some of the locales legend has associated with the story, and this is the first Arthurian tale I’ve picked up since that visit.

      Either way, very good historical fiction; I’d have loved it more if they’d changed all the names to protect the guilty.
    • 5/5
      First book in The Warlord Chronicles (Arthurian) trilogy.Cornwell is a first-rate writer of historical action-adventure stories. He’s also extremely creative in the ways he uses his historical material. I always enjoy reading the historical notes at the end of his books, because they give fascinating details about the site, usually, of the action and, of course, when he deviates from historical accuracy.But in this series, about the legendary Arthur, Cornwell outdoes himself. Sticking as he usually does to historical facts, Cornwell is left with very few verifiable “facts, indeed--including whether or not Arthur really existed. Not to worry--he uses what can be surmised and for which there is evidence--and completely tosses the usual Arthurian story, based on Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, out the window. Instead he creates a story based on the historical time period in which Arthur probably lived--the 5th century C.E. No knights in shining armor--there were no such things as knights the, and men fought--usually in a shield wall--in leather armor. No Round Table, no glamor--just the realities of what would be called the Dark Ages. Christianity was by no means settled in Britain, and it had very little resemblance to what we know as Christianity today. Arthur was a warlord, who united the petty kingdoms (or tried to) against the Saxon invasion. No quest for the Holy Grail--just the desperation of beating back one of the many invasions that shaped the current people known as the English.Many of the old familiar names are present--Guinivere, Lancelot, Bors, Geraint, Excalibur, Merlin, Nimue, Pellinore, Morgan and many more. But they are hardly recognizable in the brand-new, yet far more authentic tale that Cornwell weaves.I happen to love the usual Arthurian tales; I think they are some of the best fantasy ever written. But at least in this first book, I really like what Cornwell has done with this material. It’s a whacking good story, fast-paced and well written--typical Cornwell strengths.There’s one minor almost-caveat, however. The story is told by Dervel Cadarn, a spearman in Arthur’s army. He works very well as a narrator, and lends a very personal touch to the story. Cornwell is a prolific writer, and has written other series. I am currently reading The Last Kindom, the first book in his trilogy, The Saxon Tales, which is set about four centuries later than The Warlord Chronicles. Britain is again facing an invasion, this time of Danes. Again, one king, Alfred the Great, will try to unite the British against the invaders. Again the story is narrated by a fighting man, Uhtred. It’s easy to see how such a story structure and especially the device of such a narrator works well. But if you read both series, they will have a familiarity, because character development is not one of Cornwell’s strong suits nor does it necessarily have to be, given the genre.But taken by itself, The Winter King is a remarkably good story told very, very well. highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      imaginative retelling of what the 'truth' behind the Arthur legend might have been - with Arthur a general, battling to reunite warring Celtic tribes so that they can better resist the Saxon invader.
    • 1/5
      I did not like this book one bit.

      I think you either enjoy Arthurian novels or you don't and I'm of the latter persuasion. I don't like them at all and will not be starting any more. I just can't wrap my tongue around the Welsh spelling. Then there is the issue of trying to figure out if they are talking about a place name, person or some religious object. It was all too confusing to enjoy.
    • 4/5
      Okay, so I'm a sucker for the Arthurian legend... But as someone who primarily reads "literary" works, I must say a well-told story is something worth cherishing. Cornwell is a master story-teller.
    • 4/5
      The author has spun a picaresque tale loosely based on the Arthur cum Camelot legend but cleverly set in a historical context. That context is Britain in the Dark Ages of the late fifth century. Against this setting Cornwell explores familiar themes of duty vs. self-interest, greed vs. charity, courage vs. cowardice, and good vs. evil, to mention a few. Imposed on this ethos he explores a greater struggle between Britain's ancient paganism and an upstart Christianity, struggling to establish itself as the dominant spiritual force. An entertaining and thoughtful read.
    • 5/5
      Incredible. A story so brutal and so realised I felt I was standing in the Dark Ages and at times wishing I was stood alongside Arthur. This is a retelling of the Arthurian legend told through the eyes of a monk, Derfel, who looks back on his life and reveals the truth of Arthur as he witnessed it. For this to work, Derfel becomes a central character, one who you believe in and one you accept was there as events unfolded. This could easily feel contrived, yet it works seamlessly. The first 80 pages are slow, and be warned confusing, as a list of characters and places had me constantly referring to the character list and map in the front. Yet it is a measured build up, and with a beautiful piece of misdirection (which having read the book before still fooled me.) When Arthur eventually appears (and I’m not ashamed to admit the hairs on the back of my neck stood up) the narrative takes hold. Yet this isn’t just a tale of battle after battle, there are some poignant character interactions which just adds to the layers of the story. All of the characters feel real, from Merlin’s sarcastic wit and his attitude towards the affairs of man, to Arthur’s honourable yet essentially flawed traits. As someone who loves the Arthurian mythology and has pagan tendencies anyway, this book is always going to be difficult to dislike. My knowledge of the mythology and the religion of the times is greater then when I first read this ten years ago, but which just makes me appreciate and love this book even more. The level of detail is breathtaking. It is not an exaggeration to say you can almost smell the smoke from the woodfires and feel the chill from the night air. Anyone with even a slither of interest in the mythology of Arthur, needs to start here. Read it, then await his return...
    • 4/5
      I read this when it first came out many, many years ago. I bought it to re-read because it was cheap-ish on Kindle and I was actually pretty impressed: it's stood up well and I went on to buy the second and third parts of the trilogy (which I also read when they were first out) at full price.The thing I like most about it is that it sounds as though it could be true. I am not much of a history buff and I know very little about the 6th century, but I do know that discoveries made since this was written suggest this is unlikely to be an accurate portrayal of Britain at that time (such as the Roman harbour at Newport in Wales). It has all the writerly tricks which put me off other Bernard Cornwell books - the short dramatic sentences at the end of paragraphs, repetitive descriptions ("like a man reaping hay") - but I really like the way it treads the line between "realistic" and "mythic". It's a good story, it's readable, and I like these books very much.
    • 3/5

      It's an enjoyable read with believable characters and is not a bad take on the history of Arthur. There's very little that grabs the imagination, and I suspect this book will be quickly forgotten.
    • 4/5
      I love this trilogy. It could be badly done: writing about Arthur from the point of view of someone completely invented? But it works, and you come to care about Derfel.
    • 5/5
      Fantastic spin on the Arthurian Legend.
    • 4/5
      I'm a huge fan of Arthurian literature - I've probably read over 50 books on the topic since I was a teenager - and I wasn't sure how I would feel about Cornwell's take on the subject. I've always felt the myth was more important than the history when it comes to Arthur, and I knew Cornwell would at least strip the work of most of the usual anachronisms. He actually did more, transforming even the most basic of relationships and events, until only his adherance to the most basic themes of Arthurian legend allow this book to be considered part of the genre.At first it upset me. I couldn't see what the benefit was of having a character called Elaine only to make her Lancelot's mother. But as I read on, I saw the appeal. As any lover of the genre will tell you, almost nothing is known about a historical Arthur; even his existance cannot be verified, and so everyone who writes an Arthur book changes things to suit their point.So why not change things drastically? Cornwell has this story dictated by one of the knights to a Queen who wants a more glamourous story than the one the knight is telling. He knows she is probably changing it in the translation process before the books are even done. Cornwell gives us a deliberately different Arthur, but one in which we can see how and why the story would have been twisted as it was passed down.Arthurian legend has always been a mash-up of history and myth, and Cornwell makes that the theme of of his version. This first book in the series is really great, and can stand alone without its two sequels. Cornwell's great launguage, evocative and spare descriptions, and effortless characterization are here, as are what is most important in Arthur stories: the dream of a golden age that rises above the men and women who inspired it.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book. Well-written, interesting characters, but I was a little disappointed in the handling of magic and King Arthur's character. It's logical, but not much fun. Merlin is cool, though. And my copy of this book had atrocious typesetting.
    • 5/5
      The finest Arthurian novel I have read, I think. Cornwell weaves a compelling tale that is not necessarily true to the legend, but explains the legend in a manner that is truthful and intriguing. This first volume thrusts us into a world that seems strange to us, but Cornwell’s writing makes us feel quickly at home. It is easy to get lost in this place, and after three volumes you can do nothing but wish there had been more.
    • 3/5
      This book came as a recommendation when I was looking to expand beyond my usual reading genre. It is certainly well written. It just didn't hold my attention. Too much battle and politics, not enough love and life. A man's book.
    • 4/5
      This is the first book in Bernard Cornwell's "Warlord Trilogy." The series tells the tale of Arthur and Corwell has said that it is his favorite series of all that he has written. It is easy to tell that when reading it. Cornwell has put so much work into describing post-Roman Britain and its inhabitants that I was pretty overwhelmed during the first third of the book. The author's enthusiasm and dedication inspired me to keep going, and I'm glad I did!Midway through the book, the hero, Derfel Cadarn - one of Arthur's best warriors, finds himself on a quest that takes him to the Isle of the Dead. A place where the people of Britain would abandon their insane and their criminals. No one has ever returned from the Isle of the Dead, but Derfel is determined to save his friend (and lover), Nimue - a Druid priestess. This episode was some of the best writing I have read from Bernard Cornwell. It went beyond his historical descriptions, his always exciting battle scenes, and his slightly hokey love scenes. I was certainly impressed.
    • 4/5
      I had recently been in the mood for Arthurian novels. This one was very good, and very like what I've read of the Saxon Chronicles. Actually, it was a lot more like the Saxon Chronicles than I would have expected. Lots of battles and political parleys, not as much about the characters of Arthurian legend. However, those details do make it feel more ancient/medieval.I loved Derfel and Nimue, and thought telling the story through their eyes was an excellent technique. Having knowledge of the characters limited to what Derfel sees in them is interesting, especially in the case of Guinevere. I especially loved the characterization of Lancelot. He's portrayed as a coward and a braggart, and that the golden legends of him spread due to the bards his kingdom employed. Wonderful!I also liked the way religion was handled. As in other Arthurian works, there is a split between the old and new, and contention between Christian priests and the Druids. Nimue makes for an awesome Druid, and I liked seeing the traditions of the Druids and conflict with the Christians played out through her. The framing device also sheds interesting light on this relationship.Definitely looking forward to book 2.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant dark Arthurian story
    • 5/5
      Cornwell superbly captures the real Arthur in this work. He does a heck of a job carrying you to the battlefields and paints a chilling picture of Dark Age combat. Believable human characters act on a richly described stage.
    • 5/5
      The power vacuum left when the Romans retreat from Britain, had been filled by kings and warlords who not only fight amongst themselves but also fight off invading Saxons and Irish warbands. One king, Uther, manages to cobble together a group of kingdoms. But he's dying, and leaves behind him only one legitimate son, Mordredd, born with a club foot. He gets a promise from one of his allies, that he will marry Mordredd's mother, Uther's queen, and act as regent until Mordredd, then only a baby, comes of age.When Uther dies, the king betrays his promise and attacks, killing Uther's widow and attempting to kill Mordredd. But Merlin's band of Druids and outcasts manages to save and hide the future king.Into that tableau comes Uther's bastard son Arthur, who had been banished to Amorica and who is now a warlord of great renown. Arthur promises to protect Mordredd and hold the kingdom for his half-brother.Following the actual historical record (what there is of it), the tale is unlike all the other Arthurian books I've read. There's little brightness in the world of the Dark Ages. It is full of betrayals and endless wars and few men of honor to be found. Even Arthur is flawed and despite his desire to war for peace, he's foiled at almost every turn if not by his own flaws, then by betrayals and impossible odds.An amazing book.
    • 2/5
      Bernard Cornwell's The Winter King is the first in his trilogy of books dealing with the story of King Arthur. Our narrator, Derfel, is a Saxon orphan who was adopted by Merlin, a one of Arthur's confidantes and chief fighters. The story opens when Derfel is in his old age; he has become a monk, and is engaged in writing down Arthur's story. He tells it to his queen, Igraine, and their conversations interject the main narrative of Arthur's rise to power.Cornwell makes his Arthur not a king, but a warlord entrusted with the life of the infant king Mordred. Arthur's goal is to unite the tribes of Britain under one peaceful ruler, and to hold back the Saxon invaders. Meanwhile, the mysterious Merlin is searching for the Treasures of Britain, thirteen objects that will allow their possessor to summon the British gods, and restore Britain to its rightful place.I've read a fair amount of Arthurian literature, and I have to say, Cornwell's version of the story is far from my favourite. Derfel is a lifeless narrator, with little personality and even less insight into Arthur's character. He spends chapters talking about how Arthur's decisions resulted in war and grief, and that Arthur's defining trait is his ambition, but then remarks that Arthur was the greatest man he ever knew. To me, Cornwell's Arthur is an idiot - he marries Guinevere in secret and moans about how much he loves her, when clearly she is interested only in his power. Really, he is quite pathetic.Lancelot is another character who I dislike. In The Winter King, he is not a dashing soldier, but a lazy man who is scared of fighting. He is smug and haughty, and his good looks are his only positive feature.So, what about this book is good? Well, I suppose it is quite historically accurate. However, this means that it is rather unpleasant as well. Cornwell fills his pages with violence, rape, descriptions of urination and filth, and makes Britain altogether unattractive. Realistically, it probably was fairly horrible, but for me, this didn't make for good reading. The descriptions of battle were well done, and I enjoyed the sections where Derfel discusses tactical strategies and the soldiers' religion of Mithras. However, these sections were few and far between, and as a result, this book took me weeks to read. Even though my OCD personality will flinch as I write this, I know that I will never read the other two books in this trilogy. This Arthur is not my Arthur, and it disappointed me - so much, in fact, that it may be time for a reread of The Mists of Avalon.
    • 4/5
      This is some great escapist writing for me. Bernard Cornwell knows how to deliver the goods when it comes to high adventure. Probably not as historically based as the Sharpe series since there are so few sources on King Arthur but at least this story is a little more down to earth then say Marion Zimmer Bradley. Not so much high magic as more believable battle scenes. He does a good job of creating an intriguing cast of political characters and religious tension between the pagan/druids and the christian missionaries. I also love that Lancelot is complete coward and opportunist. I like to look up the names he uses to see any actual historical links. he has done a great job with the Welsh words so far as I can tell. I'm looking forward to reading the Enemy of God, the second of the series.
    • 5/5
      This was the first Arthurian novel I ever read. I really enjoyed it. I felt it was well written and there were interesting characters. I also thought the battle scenes were described well and I was able to easily understand what was going on. There was also some language, so if you take offense to that then this is not your book. On the whole I really like this book and I am excited to continue on with the series.
    • 5/5
      This book is the first of a trilogy based on the legendary Arthur. The bastard son of High King Uther Pendragon, Arthur himself is not consider of royal lineage (although he does bear the title Lord) and is sworn protector of Uther's heir, the infant King Mordred. Like Cornwell's Saxon chronicles, The Winter King is told as a memoir by a fictional character who manages to be in all the important places at the right time. In this series, the narrator is an aged monk named Derfel, once the warlord Lord Derfel Cadarn, a disciple of Merlin and a member of the Mithraic cult of warriors. How Derfel makes the whole-hearted switch to Christianity is not covered in this book. The story introduces a few characters familiar to those acquainted with the Arthurian legends. I already mentioned Uther, in this story the aged (and quickly late) High King who lost one son named Mordred in battle, and sired another about a year before his death. The infant King Mordred is a deformed child with a club foot, and there is much grumbling that such a creature not be allowed to live. Morgan, Arthur's sister, had her face maimed and perpetually wears a golden mask. She is a disciple of Merlin, who is lord over a kingdom of misfits. Derfel himself is of Saxon origin and was left for dead by a druid in a ceremony commemorating a victory. Nimue (who, in Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, fills in as the Lady of the Lake when the lady is killed), is Derfel's age, and becomes Merlin's mistress as well as apprentice. King Ban of Benoic loses his kingdom and his life to a Frankish invasion, but his sons Lancelot and Gallahad escape. Gallahad and Derfel are inseparable companions; Gallahad the epitome of a chivalrous knight. Lancelot is a douche of the first order, claiming great feats of heroism while never actually risking his skin. Guinevere, aka "The Whore of Henis Wyren," is Arthur's wife. Arthur's inability to keep it in his pants led to him eschewing a political marriage that would have bought peace among the British tribes (mostly in what is now Wales), allowing them to focus on the encroaching Saxons. As a result of the affront, the kingdoms of Britain polarize to Arthur or his enemy, the King of Powys. Much of the book covers the course of this war.While Cornwell spins a good amount of his own fiction, the setting itself is historically quite plausible. The druids use symbolism and other tricks to rattle the nerves of the believers, but there is no true magic here, nor mystical intervention by the gods. In an amusing twist, Derfel is actually recording this tale as he describes it to a princess many years later. The legends that we are most familiar with are actually believed to have been fact by this princess, errors which Derfel periodically breaks from his narrative to explain to his anxious listener. The climatic battle becomes a draw, mostly because it's never completed thanks to the timely intervention of Merlin and a band of Irish mercenaries that unexpectedly join with Arthur. The King of Powys is killed in battle, and his son, much like Arthur. desires peace among Britons.