Jennifer Roberson

For the first time in years, life seems settled for Tiger and Del. Occasionally Tiger must dance against sword-dancers bent on killing him for forsaking the oaths and vows of the circle, but for the most part it’s an idyllic life. Until Tiger’s twenty-five-year-old son accuses him of being “domesticated.” Thus challenged by his own flesh-and-blood to reclaim his legendary status, Tiger, accompanied by Del and his son, embarks on a journey northward that will test his sword skill and resolve, and lead him and Del into the dangerous path of an old enemy.

This volume is about the part Cheysuli and part Homanan Niall, the son of Donal and Aislinn. He has no shapechanging ability and is sent off to Atvia with his liege man. On the way, however, he is captured by the prince of Erinn and is forced to escape. At Atvia he meets his betrothed, the mad Gisela. He marries her and returns to Homana, only to find that both Cheysuli and Homanans want him dead. This, a rebellion in Solinde—now a country occupied by Homana—and a plague force Niall to embrace his shapechanger side and try to kill Strahan.

Accused of murdering a man the Southron tribes believe to be their messiah, but who is actually the slayer of Del's family, Tiger and Del flee across the deadly Punja desert, hunted by religious zealots and sword-dancer assassins. But evading death by assassins' blades is only one of the challenges they face. For Tiger's sword, Samiel, has been possessed by the spirit of the deadly sorcerer, Chosa Dei—a wizard out of legend with the power to unmake the entire world, a master of evil who seeks to mold Tiger into his ultimate weapon of destruction. Tiger and Del have only one hope left—to find and gain the help of Chosa Dei's equally powerful counterpart and sworn enemy, Shaka Obre. But Shaka Obre has not been seen in the world for hundreds of years, and it may be beyond even the combined magical abilities of Tiger and Del to find this wizard who is their only chance for salvation.

Roberson has lived in Arizona since 1957. Though she grew up in Phoenix, the author lived in Flagstaff for 12 years, and now resides in Tucson. Roberson obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Northern Arizona University in 1982 as an adult student. She spent her final semester in England at the University of London, which enabled her to do in-depth research at castles and cathedrals, museums and estates, and to visit historical sites in Scotland and Wales. She breeds and exhibits Cardigan Welsh Corgis under the CHEYSULI kennel prefix, and creates mosaic artwork as hobbies.

Jennifer Mitchell Roberson (born October 26, 1953) is an American author of fantasy and historical literature.