Cirrus@Austlit

'Can healing defeat the sword?

'In seasons long past, twin gold-eyed princes sundered a kingdom. Rejecting his twin brother's warrior ways, Kasheron established a community deep in the southern forests.

'Forgotten by the outside world and protected by the trackless trees of Allogrenia, Kasheron's Tremen community has flourished, with his legacy of peace and healing upheld generations on.

'But now the forest has been breached by hostile intruders ...

'Fighting and bloodshed follow, testing even the skills of Kira, the greatest of all Tremen Healers. As well as sharing Kasheron's gift for healing, Kira has inherited his golden eyes and inspirational qualities - she, too, is seen as a leader amongst her people.

'As the attacks upon the Tremen become more violent, Kira is faced with a terrible dilemma. Should she stay and risk the annihilation of her community, or set out on a perilous journey north to seek aid from their long-lost warrior kin?' (Publisher's blurb)

'Deep in the southern forests, the Tremen are being viciously attacked by their neighbours, the Shargh. As the death toll mounts, gold-eyed Kira, the Tremen's most gifted Healer, flees north to seek help from their long-lost warrior kin, the Terak.

'Even as her perilous journey has barely begun, Kira is forced to compromise her beliefs to rescue Caledon, a man driven by his faith in divine order and star patterns. In turn, his knowledge allows her to survive the perils of crossing the treacherous Azurcades. Kira soon realises that he sees her as part of a celestial plan, and begins to mistrust his intentions.

'But not even Caledon can foresee what will happen when she meets the one man with the power to destroy all she has striven for. As the Shargh's most ancient prophecy comes to life, 'gold meets gold', and Kira - and the Tremen - will never be the same again.' (Publisher's blurb)

'The mare snorted, wild-eyed, and danced sideways as a dark shape launched itself at Kira, knocking her off her feet. It leapt on top of her, then a disfigured face thrust close, its lips drawing back in a macabre smile as hands tightened around her throat.

'With battles raging and Shargh warriors threatening the future of Allogrenia, gold-eyed Kira is forced to betray her every principle by requesting Tremen Protectors fight and kill to defend their homeland. As the sickening carnage continues, Ashmiri treachery threatens to deliver Shargh victory. Realising her love of Tierken is not enough to bridge the gulf between them and their respective people, Kira flees Terak.

'Reunited with Caledon, her companion of yore, Kira decides to make for her Tremen homeland. But as she and Caledon approach Allogrenia, Caledon's star vision fails him and they're confronted by Shargh.

'With the prophecy drawing towards its chilling conclusion, Kira realises victory over the Shargh may cost her everyone and everything she loves...

'This action-packed conclusion to the Kira Chronicles finds our heroine battling for her people, her beliefs, her love for a man, and, finally, her very existence.' (From the publisher's website.)