Twins Wulf and Aetna are born at the beginning of the "Long Peace", the reign of King Edgar I, in the 10^th century. But although the fledgling nation of Englaland remains untroubled by war, the young King's personal life is turbulent and troubled. Drawn deeper and deeper into the orbit of the Royal Family of Wessex, the twins soon find that Wulf may have to wield his sword in earnest and that a needle may be put to more bloody use than Aetna's peaceful pastime of silk and gold embroidery.