A DISTANT DUTY by D.L.R. Frase

When the Highland Kingdom is threatened by a horde of invaders from the east, King Werner comes seeking aid from the Flatlanders. King Konr assembles an army and rides to assist. Lorens’ skill as an archer is relied upon heavily during the battle, and he discovers that he can hunt men as well as deer when needed. The battle is finally won, but at the cost of both kings.

Torgeir, newly-crowned Highland King, must return Konr’s body to Konr’s widow, his sister Henna, and tell her that their father has perished. He also presents an ancient scroll, a supposed prophesy that foretells of her son Aryk. She must decide whether to believe it or not, and, if so, how to tell her son. With Konr gone, Aryk is now Flatland King, and she is regent until he comes of age. She enlists the aid of Lorens and Ivor to train Aryk to become a man and king.

As Ivor continues training Aryk, he develops a close relationship with Henna, and she confides in him the contents of the prophecy. They are faced not only with the task of training Aryk to be a king, but with deciding how and when to tell him about the prophecy as well.