Margaret Redfern – författare

Will and his brother Ned are commandeered into the army of ditch-diggers whose task it is to build the foundations for Edward I's castle at Flint. But the lads are nervous - and not just because they're far from home. Ned is a mute whose affinity with horses and skills as a herbalist make him suspicious in the eyes of their English overseers. In addition, Ned has been tutored by the exiled Welsh bard, Ieuan ap y Gof. An atmospheric and unusually affecting first novel, rich in historical and cultural detail.

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.