Two children escape the cruelty of England's King John and cross the Channel to look for their family. Their quest leads them into a maelstrom of forest bent on destroying the Languedoc, the society and culture of southern France. They find themselves pitted against the armies of France and the Church of Rome and aligned with the peaceful and heretical Cathars. As an era ends, hope, joy, grief and destruction devastate yet bind this family of artisans and musicians. Book Two of the Pastimes series follows the family of Ain of Poetiers through the 13th century. Book One, Ain's Song, won a...