I have one comment and two questions. My comment is that I loved The Pale Horseman as much as I did The Last Kingdom which so many times isn’t the case with second books in a series. My first question concerns the time period for the third book. Will it follow directly after The Pale Horseman leaves off or will it be moved forward in time. I guess I’m anxious for Ethelfleada to grow up and be the herione you said she would be. My second questions is why the West Saxons had no queens. You made a point of this in both novels and I’m curious. Does anyone know why? Again, I thank you for writing such exciting books. Ann Madonna