Maureen L Ulrich

Sixteen-year-old Gabrielle March returns home to her beloved town of Lille, seeking peace and quiet after the untimely death of her father, war hero Simon March, and riots in Andwarf. However, Gabrielle's mother and the local populace aren't ready to accept a sixteen-year-old girl stepping into her father's boots. Furthermore, Gabrielle has important secrets to keep-such as her role in overthrowing Andwarf's governor and her growing affection for a handsome young blacksmith. Worse yet, Lille appears to be on the verge of invasion by Emperor Maximillian's army. Can Gabrielle save her town?

"Bit by bit, my old life sifts like golden grains of wheat through my fingers."Sixteen-year-old Gabrielle travels to Andwarf with her father, warlord Simon March, where she is to become a vestal at the Temple of the Goddess. When Simon is robbed and killed, Gabrielle believes one of his former brothers-in-arms is responsible. Even the city governor seems complicit in Simon's murder. To make matters worse, her older brother is arrested for associating with a rebel faction and sentenced to die on the gallows. To free Damon, Gabrielle enlists the help is a handsome childhood friend, but Thomas appears determined to prevent her from participating in the escape plot. Will Gabrielle be able to save Damon and bring her father's murderer to justice?