Slowly the setting began to grow and the characters, and then I was inspired by the scene of a country fair as I sat down to write it, which I wanted to made as vivid and exciting as possible. It was actually only later that the Arthurian elements emerged, and the quest for Excalibur.

I love Arthurian legend though, and versions of the story say that Arthur was Welsh. So there was this rich mix, and an essentially domestic story, of a family, because the best stories are about relationships, but with a wider vision too and a quest. But I wanted an animal as well, since many of my books, especially Firebringer and The Sight, are animal books, so I chose a bird. Rhodri had to be the son of a Falconer, and there was already a poem by one of my favourite poets, WB Yeats, that begins "Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer."

When you write a story it's a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle, as you move backwards and forwards, changing pieces, putting them in different places, until you build up a more and more convincing picture. And I wanted my story to be convincing, both emotionally and historically. I studied the crusades at school and University and love history, while unfortunately we live in a time with some dangerous echoes from that period. So it seemed right to set it then and perhaps say some things about today. I hope those things point to the danger and horror of violence and extremism, but also the importance of not giving in, or certainly of finding out what you are willing to stand up for.

Rhodri's quest thus found it’s true setting during the period of the Third Crusade, under the English King Richard The Lionheart. I remember an old Lady Bird book about the Crusades where Richard breaks a stone with his heavy sword, while his famous opponent Saladin slices through a silken scarf. It seemed to say something about might versus subtlety, and the importance of understanding other cultures. I hope I have my facts right, but what is most important to me is a feel, a sense of history. How to be alive at any epoch throws up similar issues.

Many of the things that happen in the book were drawn from my own experience. My love of the countryside. Looking into water or firelight and imagining. Watching real falcons. Learning the Sword Form in the martial art Tai Chi. But beyond that the key is simply to try and tell a good story. I hope you enjoy it!