Stephen Smallwood

The day of the Gathering. The fate of the Shieldlands lies moments away, but having lost some of her closest allies, Rheda's chances of becoming leader of these great realms and thus preventing civil war looks bleak and her worries escalate. With the odds against her, Rheda knows that if she loses, she must fight to the death. Meanwhile, a furious Slean must also make a sacrifice for his mother's campaign and play his part, but in doing so, his loyalties...

With Rheda's new laws permeating the tribes, it's time for Abrecan to make a choice, whether to step aside and accept his sister's rule, or stand against her in a declaration of war, however, not before Abrecan sees his people through the most significant event of the year... The harvest season is upon them and the people of Bregan eagerly await the behemoth shoal of pandiri fish, soon to travel through their waters - an event on which their survival...

With danger lurking in every corner threatening the Shieldlands, Herot's Huskarla patrol the forests looking for signs of the enemy. With the danger well known, Elvina's decision to furtively enter the forests, without a guard, stirs a concerned Beowulf, who downs tools from fortifications and goes after her. However, enjoying their newfound romance, the pair become distracted from the threats around them and are captured by a band of Mudborn creatures....

Herot is bustling as the town makes preparations for the Gathering at which the next ruler of the Shieldlands will be elected. With the other tribal leaders due to arrive in Herot at any moment however, the pressure mounts to catch Herot's killer before another victim is claimed. In a bid to buy themselves more time and avoid panic amongst the tribe leaders, Rheda, Slean and Abrecan ride out to stall them whilst Beowulf begins his search. Keen not...

Herot, in the mirth and merriment of preparation, readies itself for Slean and Kela's wedding celebrations. Songs are sung, stories are told and mead is drunk, but will a deadly turn of events prove too much for Slean to bear and when some shocking secrets are revealed between the couple, they must decide if new loyalties are to be forged or irrevocably shattered. Meanwhile, a bounty posse arrive after Breca's blood so he can pay with his life for...

With Slean and Thane Scorann missing, Beowulf and Rate, Thane of the Varni, charge out into the forest in search of them. But with the Gathering fast approaching and Rheda's bid for leadership depending on the hope of ever-loyal Scorann's vote, Beowulf questions whether their disappearance might be more than a simple coincidence. Beowulf and Rate continue their journey, tracking deep into the forest and are soon reminded that the Shieldlands are a...

Our group continue their perilous journey to Mere to bolster the new treaty, but now without Roth to guide them, the dangers they face look far from over. As they tackle various assaults the group's situation goes from bad to desperate. For Elvina, this is a return to her homelands; she recalls her mother's old tales of Mere as she guides them past the rivers and dunes towards the hidden tribe. Anticipating a warm welcome, our Herot heroes are shocked...

Ruby reconnects with Marcus, the ex-boyfriend she left behind in England, and he proposes a new life together. As Maggie's condition suddenly worsens, her daughter arrives and demands that Maggie leave India for treatment.

Wanting to escape a stressful career and heartbreak in the UK, Dr. Ruby Walker takes a job in India. But instead of the new clinic she applied to, Ruby ends up at an underfunded public hospital run by the formidable Dr. Lydia Fonseca.

Ruby treats a disrespectful English tourist and a man involved in a hit-and-run as AJ and Ram leave the hospital to attend a wedding. A movie star comes into the hospital complaining of back pain and looking for painkillers.