Sophia is disguised as a young male - a necessary lie if she's to survive the journey ahead of her. When her herbalist grandmother dies, Sophia takes to the Spice Road in search of her legendary storyteller grandfather - and the attractive trader she believes might help her find him. Between them lies a way fraught with danger, not the least of which is a band of slavers out for her blood. It takes all her skill to evade capture and still she remains one step behind her quarry. But the tales of heroes and villains draw her in, bringing her closer to a new home and hope.

Set two generations on from 'Flint', this is a linked but standalone story and a rollicking historical adventure in the tradition of Edward Rutherford. A gripping 13th century adventure, ranging across Europe from the near East to the far West of Wales Sophia is disguised as a young male a necessary lie if shes to survive the journey ahead of her. When her herbalist grandmother dies, leaving the girl to an uncertain future, Sophia takes to the Spice Road in search of her legendary grandfather, Will, the foreign storyteller and the attractive trader she believes might help her find him. Between them lies a way fraught with danger, not the least of which is a band of slavers out for her blood. It takes all of her skill as horsewoman and dissembler to evade capture and still she remains one step behind her quarry. But the tales of heroes and villains, slavers and songsters draw her on, until finally her grandmothers legacy brings hope in sight and the chance of welcome to a new home, her own people. -- Honno