Sasha

The first of the foot soldiers reached her at full pelt, and unloaded with a huge swing fit to cleave her in two. Sasha sidestepped with a neatly angled, swinging deflection, and slashed him open from behind as he skidded by Another came at her flank with a ready blow, and Sasha reversed her parry into a swivelling footing-change Her swing cleft head from shoulders Behind, guardsmen were staring at her. Blades limp at their sides, paused as if halted in mid-rush, having come to her aid but finding themselves far too late for assistance Synnich-ahn, she heard the reverent, frightened murmur. Synnich-ahn. Uttered with wonder. Sasha is a princess, the like of which the highland country of Lenayin has never seen before. Spurning her royal heritage to be raised by the great warrior, Kessligh, her exquisite swordplay astonishes all who witness it. But Sasha is still young, untested in battle and often led by her rash temper. In the complex world of Lenayin loyalties, her defiant wilfulness is attracting the wrong kind of attention. Lenayin is a land almost divided by its two faiths: the Verenthane of the ruling classes and the pagan Goeren-yai, amongst whom Sasha now lives. The Goeren-yai worship swordplay and honour and begin to see Sasha as the great spirit the Synnich who will unite them. But Sasha is still searching for what she believes and must choose her side carefully. When the Udalyn people the symbol of Goeren-yai pride and courage are attacked by Verenthane forces, Sasha will face her moment of testing. How will she act? Is she ready to lead? Can she be the saviour the Goeren-yai want her to be?