Cover

“You killed her!” That first voice, instantly joined by others, rose in a furious screech of accusation. “You killed her! You killed her!”

The angry voices penetrated Kieri’s grief and exhaustion, and he looked back over his shoulder to see at least a dozen elves, some with swords drawn, his uncle Amrothlin among them. Behind them, more Squires pushed into the room.

“I did not,” he said. “I tried—”

“She’s dead! You’re alive; you must have—!”

“I tried to save her,” Kieri said. “I could not.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Former Marine ELIZABETH MOON is the author of many novels, including Echoes of Betrayal, Kings of the North, Oath of Fealty, the Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy, Victory Conditions, Command Decision, Engaging the Enemy, Marque and Reprisal, Trading in Danger, the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, and Remnant Population, a Hugo Award finalist. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin. She lives in Florence, Texas.

BY ELIZABETH MOON

The Serrano Legacy

Hunting Party

Sporting Chance

Winning Colours

Once a Hero

Rules of Engagement

Change of Command

Against the Odds

The Serrano Legacy: Omnibus One

The Serrano Connection: Omnibus Two

The Serrano Succession: Omnibus Three

The Legacy of Gird

Surrender None

Liar’s Oath

A Legacy of Honour: The Legacy of Gird Omnibus

The Deed of Paksenarrion

Sheepfarmer’s Daughter

Divided Allegiance

Oath of Gold

The Deed of Paksenarrion Omnibus

Paladin’s Legacy

Oath of Fealty

Kings of the North

Limits of Power

Remnant Population

Speed of Dark

The Vatta’s War Series

Trading in Danger

Moving Target

Engaging the Enemy

Command Decision

Victory Conditions

with Anne McCaffrey

Sassinak (The Planet Pirates Volume 2)

Generation Warriors (The Planet Pirates Volume 3)

Dedication

For David Stevens, Music Director, Austin Haller, Organist, and the Parish Choirs of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas

Dramatis Personae

Fox Company (formerly Kieri Phelan’s mercenary company)

Jandelir Arcolin, commander, Count of the North Marches

Burek, junior captain of first cohort

Selfer, captain of second cohort

Cracolnya, captain of third (mixed/archery) cohort

Stammel, veteran sergeant of the Company, now blind

Tsaia

Mikeli Vostan Kieriel Mahieran, king of Tsaia

Camwyn, his younger brother

Sonder Amrothlin Mahieran, Duke Mahieran, king’s uncle

Selis Jostin Marrakai, Duke Marrakai

Gwennothlin, his daughter and Duke Verrakai’s squire

Aris, his son and Prince Camwyn’s friend

Galyan Selis Serrostin, Duke Serrostin

Daryan, his youngest son and Duke Verrakai’s squire

Dorrin Verrakai, Duke Verrakai, formerly a senior captain in Phelan’s company, now Constable for kingdom

Beclan, Kirgan Verrakai, formerly Beclan Mahieran

Oktar, Marshal-Judicar of Tsaia

Seklis, High Marshal of Gird

Lyonya

Kieri Phelan, king of Lyonya, former mercenary commander and duke in Tsaia, half-elven grandson of the Lady of the Ladysforest

Arian, Kieri’s wife, queen of Lyonya, half-elven

Aliam Halveric, commands Halveric Company, Kieri Phelan’s mentor and friend

Estil Halveric, his wife

elves