A warrior woman with an ancient sword runs from her tortured past to help defend a fledgling colony on an unexplored continent, forcing her to confront her inner demons that keep her from accessing her true power.

This was supposed to be a peaceful assignment. Virgin forest untouched by civilization, and no threats but nature itself. All Adriel wants is a new life away from the painful reminders of her shattered history. She believes that time and distance will allow her emotional wounds to heal.

Led by a disgraced baron, the colony fights to survive against a relentless force bent on their annihilation. Caught unprepared, the village scrambles to fend off the assault of orcs led by a cunning troll commander that outwits them at every turn. Support from their home kingdom is three months away by ship.

Mistrusted by the baron’s chief advisor, and partnered with the secretive knight of a rival baron, Adriel is forced into a leading role in the defense of the village. They manage to survive the initial onslaught, and construct hasty defenses.

The horde presses their advantage, destroying crops and slaughtering hunting parties. With food stores dwindling the village makes a desperate attack to put the monsters on the defensive. Undermined by her own fears and doubts, Adriel must wrestle with the agony of her past. The demands of survival force her to confront the shame that keeps her from connecting with the power that can save them all.

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