An empire, long standing, must fall. Before it does, a young girl sees it at its peak.
Maia Harpalion is born into a life of wealth and privilege. A private tutor, a lady-in-waiting, and a spot in the most prestigious academy in the Tecian Empire. All by the age of eight. But even surrounded by every luxury imaginable she can’t escape the looming shadow that dampers the joy of every young girl: the shadow of responsibility.
Whether it’s her burden to look after her younger sister, her obligation to attend her family’s every social event, or even her duty to stand up to the school bully, Maia’s list of responsibilities threatens to never stop growing. Yet these are nothing compared to the responsibility borne by her father.
As the official ambassador to the barbarian peoples that border the empire, Maia’s father is duty bound to serve the very Emperor that once murdered his own family. When the barbarians grow more and more restless and march closer and closer to the great city of Adrianapolis, Maia will be forced to take on a responsibility greater than any she could ever imagine.
Ideal for any fans of Guy Gavriel Kay's style of historical fantasy, with a light-hearted tone, a female protagonist, and more upmarket sensibilities and writing style.
