As does her son, Iain, whom she has kept a virtual prisoner in the Tower of Mists. In the far reaches of swamp-bound Arran, Margrit makes her own plans. In the countryside life is hard, supplies not always what they were, and the once-loved faery creatures cruelly hunted down.

Does Sani know that Isabeau has escaped from the clutches of the Awl? Most importantly, how is Isabeau to contact Meghan and join her piece of the Key with the others? As Eileanan's ancient enemies, the sea-dwelling Fairge, take control of parts of the coast, trade grinds to a halt. There she observes the Righ's decline, and feels the sinister presence of the Banrigh's maid, Sani. In the royal castle at Rhysmadill, Isabeau recovers from the rigours of her journey and falls into her role as serving-girl. There are also other, less welcome visitors: the Banrigh's Red Guards may be easily repelled at the forest's fringes, but not so the deadly mesmerdean. Once in the forest they are visited by the magical Celestines, and Bacaiche reveals his true identity. The wood witch Meghan leads the half-blackbird, half-man Bacaiche and the Scarred Warrior Iseult through the countryside to the safety of the Veiled Forest, where she hopes to meet up with Isabeau, her ward, whom she has entrusted to carry part of the precious Key of the Coven. Not all the witches were killed on the Day of Reckoning, however. Jaspar, the Righ, sickens as he hears the Lodestar's song grow fainter and fainter. The Lodestar, the Inheritance of Adean wielded by the rulers of Eileanan, is lost. Behind the persecution is the beautiful and mysterious Banrigh.

At the terrible Day of Reckoning witchcraft was outlawed in Eileanan witches were killed and their great towers of learning destroyed. Now the story of the Witches of Eileanan continues. Dragonclaw was shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards for Best Fantasy - putting Kate Forsyth in the company of Sarah Douglass and Isobelle Carmody - and received rave reviews. The eagerly awaited sequel to Dragonclaw, Kate Forsyth's Pool of Two Moons, the second title in the Witches of Eileanan series.

Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth