The Sundering Flood

[1] The Sundering Flood was Morris' last work of fiction, completed only in rough draft, with the ending dictated from his deathbed.

However, in editor and critic Lin Carter's estimation, "Morris' imitation of medieval prose was not overdone: clarity and simplicity and a certain haunting and lyrical music makes it very readable.

"[2] Osberne Wulfgrimsson and Elfhild are lovers who live on opposite sides of the Sundering Flood, an immense river, which they cannot cross.

When Elfhild disappears during an invasion by the Red Skinners, the heartbroken Osberne takes up his magical sword Board-cleaver and joins the army of Sir Godrick of Longshaw, in whose service he helps dethrone the tyrannical king and plutocracy of merchants ruling the city at the mouth of the river.

Afterwards he locates Elfhild, who had fled with a relative, a wise woman skilled in the magical arts, and taken refuge in the Wood Masterless.