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kareila_booksThis final book begins and ends with Sir Dinadan, who finds his friend Palomides in Araby amid unusual circumstances. Although they begin the return trip to England almost immediately, they arrive too late to witness the final battle between the forces of Arthur and Mordred.
Each intervening chapter is told from a different point of view, and we spend time with almost all of our previous protagonists: Terence, of course, but Lynet, Luneta, and Beaufils (Guinglain) also take turns, while Piers and Sarah appear only briefly. There is also a chapter from Agrivaine's point of view, establishing some of the hidden treachery taking place, and Arthur himself is the perspective from which we see the trial of Guinevere.
Again, the author makes some clever alterations to the familiar story. Arthur never intended to convict Guinevere of treason, but a forged letter to Lancelot led him to believe he was rescuing her from certain death. The only reason the trial happened at all was due to more forged letters leading Lancelot and Guinevere into a trap designed to expose an affair that had ended many long years before. Yet another forged letter made Arthur think Lancelot had joined forces with Mordred. In short, only a few turncoats are truly to blame; the other knights have good intentions but are gravely misled.
In the end, everything ends as it must, but we have reason to hope all will be well. Lynet in particular has a surprisingly large role to play, and her noble but simple sacrifice has unforeseen consequences.
Each intervening chapter is told from a different point of view, and we spend time with almost all of our previous protagonists: Terence, of course, but Lynet, Luneta, and Beaufils (Guinglain) also take turns, while Piers and Sarah appear only briefly. There is also a chapter from Agrivaine's point of view, establishing some of the hidden treachery taking place, and Arthur himself is the perspective from which we see the trial of Guinevere.
Again, the author makes some clever alterations to the familiar story. Arthur never intended to convict Guinevere of treason, but a forged letter to Lancelot led him to believe he was rescuing her from certain death. The only reason the trial happened at all was due to more forged letters leading Lancelot and Guinevere into a trap designed to expose an affair that had ended many long years before. Yet another forged letter made Arthur think Lancelot had joined forces with Mordred. In short, only a few turncoats are truly to blame; the other knights have good intentions but are gravely misled.
In the end, everything ends as it must, but we have reason to hope all will be well. Lynet in particular has a surprisingly large role to play, and her noble but simple sacrifice has unforeseen consequences.
