Lest I Break

In 1139, with England embroiled in The Anarchy, and her peasant family on the brink of homelessness, Idony excavates every local site fabled to contain silver. The King has offered land in exchange for a large amount of silver to fund his war. More importantly, Idony has sworn to avoid letting anyone into her heart since her beloved older sister left their starving family years before. Owning the land could keep Idony from ever needing or loving a husband, or having close friends. 

Everard, a young man who suffers from odd fainting spells, and Amelina, the quirky little sister Idony never asked for, insist on helping her in her dangerous search each night. Somewhere between the interior of a creepy burial mound, lowering Everard down the village well, excavating eerie church ruins, and digging up an ancient fortress, Idony comes to care for Everard and Amelina. Soon Everard’s gentle nature and handsome face occupy more of her thoughts than the silver. Then Everard reveals that he is near starving to death, and will soon be homeless himself. When Amelina’s well-kept secret leads Idony to the treasure for which they’ve risked their lives, Idony discovers she cannot redeem the silver locally. Idony can travel to redeem the silver for the freedom she’s always wanted, though Everard will surely starve to death while she is gone. Or she can give up her dream and her family’s only hope of a home by selling the silver to buy them all enough food to last until the harvest.

(All images courtesy of Unsplash)