An All-Too-Surprising Homecoming (A Knightess of the Realm Novel)

Book excerpt: Karana and her fiancés are headed to her home-city of Wave on the Great Goddess’ orders, in order to be married… after they deal with pirates and a certain problem for Lord Andros of Wave – who just happens to be her foster-uncle. ********** Back Blurb: Wave – oldest and largest city on the Merutian Sea. Wave – renowned for its beauty and its markets. Wave – Karana’s home. For three long years, Karana has longed to go home. Now she – and Kefen and Ivan – are on their way. But home is never the same as when you left it… This epic fantasy concludes the Heir’s Journey and leads into the next Knightess of the Realm mini-series: The Secret of Dragon Mountain. Explore the mysterious connections between Magick and Economics, Empire and Ethics, Love… and Dragons! ******** Teaser: “Sais against a broadsword, laddie-buck?” Karana crouched down and made a come-hither gesture with her dagger. The young pirate grinned, showing white teeth in his bronzed face, continuing to spin his strange, short weapons around in a dazzling display. He wriggled his hips at her, saying something that made about half the pirates roar with laughter. They were men, all of them, Ivan noted, all but their chief, the woman with the bandana in her hair. Karana let her sword dangle carelessly from her fingers, and rested her dagger hand on her hip. “Is that t’best ye can do? Make pretty patterns in t’air? Or do ye use those things more often for something other than fighting?” The youth’s face turned red beneath his bronze, but he didn’t make a move. “Is he yers then, mistress? Which o’ ye gets to play wi’ his precious toys? Or are ye the type t’ share?” The knightess lowered her sword, and stood in a relaxed posture. She looked past the boy at the woman in the bandana – ah, Karana had marked her, too. Ivan began to wonder nervously if she was pushing this too far, and gathered himself to rush to her aid if they should swarm her. This last suggestion apparently needed no translation. The woman in the bandana looked amused, but the young pirate was scowling as his mates snickered. Karana laughed in the pirate lad’s face and said a few words in a soft and sibilant tongue... ...and the boy lost his temper and flew at her, his metal rods whirling.