A young woman fights for her land and people... The Lady Avallyn wants what is best for her people: a bright future for the children, a safehome for the women, and a secure livelihood for the men. A safe haven to those thatdepend on her. A man seeks to rule and oppress her... Few believe that a woman can rule a fief. That she does so without a father or husband to guide her is shocking. That she wills to continue so, refusing the advances of would-be suitors is not to be born. The people wish her to marry. The King demands she take a husband. Men lust for her position and wealth. Attacked on all fronts, Lady Avallyn chooses a difficult path, to not bow down to a man. Her actions incense her male peers. In retaliation, her rule is attacked in an atempt to turn her from her path. Aid comes from an unexpected source... In a moment of great need, a mysterious band of warriors saves her and her men from catastrophe. Who are they? Where did they come from? What do they want? As pressure mounts, Lady Avallyn must make a decision: give in to the demands of others, or take a risk and forge a new destiny for her and her people.