Like the first two Tethers books, War of the Wyrd involves time travel. The story tells what happened back in 12th century Dumnos that led to the disintegration of the wyrding world. We also find out about a terrible secret Max the goblin has carried since that time.
The battle for the English throne is on between Mahtla, daughter of the dead King Henry, and Stephos, Henry’s nephew. Everyone is pressured to choose sides, not only the Earl of Dumnos, but wyrd and fae, as well as the clerics in the Christian church which is only beginning to solidify political as well as spiritual power.
It’s a dark time, laced with fear and longing for happier days. I’m absolutely in love with one of the characters, Bayd Rosswick, a nobleman caught up in church politics and the desires of his patrons, the eeeevilllll Sarumen family. In forming Bayd Rosswick’s character, I’ve leaned heavily on this poem by William Butler Yeats.
The Song of Wandering Aengus
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
William Butler Yeats