In the year 1199, a young boy named Arthur de Caldicot dreams of the day he will be old enough to begin his knighthood training. When his father's friend, Merlin, gives him a piece of obsidian, the young Arthur finds that his life has become magically intertwined with the life of his namesake--the legendary King Arthur. This is the first book in an anticipated trilogy. Named a finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category for the 2002 Los Angeles Times Book Prize.