As in fairy tales of old, Anya and Miles is the legend of two young hearts who lived long ago. Amid betrayal and revenge, Book One sets the stage for the beginning of Anya and Miles' journey where the two meet as children at the county fair. But where Miles lives in a castle training as a young boy to become a knight, Anya is but a sheep herder's daughter whose family is beholden to the liens of the king. Set in 13thC Somerset, Anya, chosen as the healer's apprentice, must be tutored in the isolated forest, a place forbidden by the suspicious townsfolk. A peasant girl of unsurpassed beauty Anya is taught the secrets of life-healing herbs. In a castle not far from the forest, Miles aspires to be 'the greatest knight in all of England.' Excelling in archery and swordsmanship, the handsome black-haired squire seeks the advice of Merevin, who assures the Sir-to-be Miles this is his Destiny. But an ill-fated event caused by the dark governess Miss Blancbaston, causes Miles to again meet the lovely Anya, and true Destiny is uncertain.