It is not a peaceful time in the Algardis Empire. War israging between the mages and seventeen-year-old Sara Fairchild will be right inthe middle of it.
She just doesn't know it yet.
Sara is the daughter of a disgraced imperial commander, executed for desertion.Sara is also the best duelist and hand-to-hand combatant in Sandrin. She livesquietly with her family's shame but when challenged about her family's honor,her opponent inevitably loses.
On the night she finds out her father's true last actions, she takes theMercenary Guilds' vows to serve in the emperor's army. Using her quick wits andfierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division.
There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden.Dark enemies hunt her and soon it's not just Sara questioning the motivationbehind this war.
While fighting mages, blackmailing merchants and discovering new friends, Saracomes across something she's never had before - passion. The question is - canshe fight for her empress against a mage who might unwittingly claim her heart?
This is year one of the Initiate Wars. Sara is hoping it doesn't become theyear she dies.