The Gothenburg influences of the band's previous album, Violent Revolution, became more prominent on this album. Diwrnach demands the Cauldron and Ceinwyn in exchange for their freedom, but a heavy fog, apparently summoned by Merlin, allows the warband to escape undetected.

Derfel eventually makes it home, where he discovers the druids Dinas and Lavaine have attacked his hall and are attempting to kidnap Ceinwyn and Merlin and bring them to Lancelot.The Bible instructs believers to be cautious yet courageous when dealing with the enemies of God: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, . In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British. Arthur and his few remaining allies devise a plan to reinforce Sagramor against Cerdic, sending Culhwch and Cuneglas' spears to his aid at Corinium, while he, Derfel and forty of their best spears rescue Guinevere and Arthur's son Gwydre, who are being held captive by Lancelot's men at the Sea Palace.

According to these words of Jesus, it is impossible for us to give our hearts simultaneously to two masters. While the first half is still slow paced, the pacing is much more balanced now compared to the previous book where the first half was so dense with descriptions and minim dialogues. Derfel finds himself torn between both beliefs and prays at pagan shrines while later becoming a Christian monk. Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.

However, Cerdic insists that Lancelot be given control of this land as a king; as such, Lancelot is granted a new kingdom much richer and more to his liking than Siluria, which will instead be divided between Gwent and Powys. The story arcs around Arthur, Guinevere, Derfel, Lancelot, Ceinwyn, Galahad, and Merlin are superb and weave together with such masterful storytelling. And some Christians are especially troublesome because this story takes place between 490 and 496, and they believe 500 is the year of Armageddon.