Having rebuilt the NordornLand from rubble, Ashen and Gaurin rule justly and fairly over a reinvigorated land. Beloved by their kingdom, they now turn their attention to the next generation of Nordorn royalty. Responsible Bjaudin, heir to the throne, focuses on his studies and Hegrin, Queen of Rendel, rears her own growing brood. But the youngest siblings, Elin and Mikkel, seem destined to alter the future of the NordornLand—for better or for worse. Thirteen-year-old Elin craves power, and believes her new alliance with the evil Ysa may help her achieve it. Eleven-year-old Mikkel stows away on a Sea-Rover ship, hoping for a brief adventure. But when the ship is attacked, Mikkel is taken prisoner, and soon his bonds to the NordornLand are the last thing on his mind. Through births and deaths, celebration and wars, Ashen and Gaurin have worked tirelessly to bring peace and prosperity to their kingdom. But it appears that this era of peace may be at its end. This final installment of the Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan brings the series to a thrilling climax worthy of these fascinating characters.

Equally honorable, brave, and noble was King Frederick I, called “Barbarossa” for his prominent red beard. He ruled twelfth century Germany when it was a feudal kingdom, a time of darkness and intrigue. As Arthur sought the Holy Grail, Frederick sought the Holy Lance, the spear that pierced Christ’s side as he hung on the cross. A chivalrous king who thirsted for justice, Frederick confronted wild beasts, defeated evil barons, razed his enemy’s castles, and crusaded to the Holy Land. Guided by the Rhine-maiden prophetess, Lorelei, he achieved greatness while earning the love of his people. Like Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, Frederick surrounded himself with stout-hearted warriors. The greatest was the courageous Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion. Yet, like all men who achieve glory, Frederick faced jealously and betrayal. In the year 1190, rumors sang the King’s demise in the torrents of a far off river. But soon, legends arose that Frederick merely sleeps in a cave deep in the Kyffhauser Mountains. His return awaits until the ravens cease to fly.

In medieval England, eleven-year-old Piers' dream comes true when he becomes page to Parsifal, a peasant whose quest for knighthood reveals important secrets about both of their families.

The stunning conclusion to a beloved series

Having grown up in an isolated forest, Beaufils sets off for Camelot to find his father and winds up undertaking quests with Sirs Gawain and Galahad, visiting various hermits, and traveling to the fairy world.

Ever since that tragic night when her mother and guardian were murdered, thirteen-year-old Sarah has been living on her own and searching for the knight who was responsible. Her quest for revenge leads to an even greater adventure when she witnesses Queen Guinevere being kidnapped. Soon Sarah finds herself accompanying Sir Gawain and Squire Terence on a remarkable journey to rescue the Queen. In their travels they meet, among others, a mystery knight traveling incognito in a dung cart, a faery who becomes Sarah's first friend in a long time, a reclusive monk who plans to spend the rest of his life building a tomb for Sir Lancelot, and a princess who might have a little more gumption than she appears to. As the plot thickens, Sarah finds out more about the people she's met and befriended, as well as about herself. She begins to learn the true consequences of vengeance and what it really means to be a princess.

Boys' Life is the official youth magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Published since 1911, it contains a proven mix of news, nature, sports, history, fiction, science, comics, and Scouting.