As fate would have it, Liobhan removes her uncomfortable helm in between bouts and Dau does the same, to even the match, but then during the next match, Dau trips on a trinket thrown into the ring by a young child and he falls, hitting his head hard. When all is said and done, Dau has lost his sight from the blow.
Since Dau is the son of a very wealthy chieftain, the leaders of Swan Island think it best to contact his family, especially since his injury is so dire they aren't sure he'll live. However, Dau despises his family and left them in his early teens because of the terrible abuse suffered at their hands. His older brother, Seanan, comes to discuss the settlement terms of Dau's injury and negotiates not only a huge sum of money to care for him for the rest of his life, but also a year of bond servitude by Liobhan, for causing the injury, although everyone knows it was an accident. Liobhan readily agrees to the ridiculous request, if only to watch over Dau at the household of his nightmares.
Needless to say, the family had no plans of caring for Dau in the way he should be cared for, and in fact, he is placed in the worst accommodations possible. Things aren't right with his father physically, but no one will tell him what is going on and Seanan has taken over ruling Oakhill with an iron fist. Can Dau and Liobhan even survive a year at their mercy?
Meanwhile in the Otherworld, while Rowan, a foxlike man, and True, a great stone man, are on patrol, they encounter some of the Crow Folk who have been badly tortured, maimed and for some, killed. An infant Crow Folk is left orphaned and the pair decide to bring it back to the camp and let Brocc and Eirne decide what to do with it. Brocc wants to show it mercy and care for it, despite the fact that the Crow Folk would love nothing more than to tear Eirne's small folk apart, while Eirne wants it killed immediately. This causes contention between the pair, but to make matters worse, True was gravely injured when one of the Crows gashed him with its poisonous beak. Brocc realizes they must take him on The Long Path to find a healer from his own people, if at all possible, since his injuries are beyond the capacities of anyone there. Venturing into the enchanted areas outside of Eirne's realm is dangerous and who knows what will be required of Brocc and True to get the needed healing. Needless to say, it won't come cheap.
Both pairs will deal with trials and tragedy in their respective journeys, but will they overcome that which is thrown their way? Well, they are Swan Island warriors, after all, so they'll put up a hell of a fight.
I think I enjoyed A Dance with Fate even more than The Harp of Kings, especially since the characters of Liobhan, Dau and Brocc were already developed from the previous story and they've grown so much. Thrusting Dau's character back into the home where he suffered such terrible abuse, and having him blind and fairly helpless was a pretty shocking way to begin their story, but despite their differences, it's wonderful to see he and Liobhan rise to the occasions that life throws their way. Brocc gets his fair share of shocks in this story as well, but I have a feeling that the repercussions of this book will be vast and carry well into the series in an interesting fashion. I loved A Dance with Fate and anyone who likes Irish folklore and a bit of magic in their tales should enjoy it. Just start with the first book.
