Kerowyn

The main character of By the Sword, Kerowyn starts out as a young girl of Rethwellan who doesn't fit in well with her family (preferring physical activities such as riding, hunting, and learning combat to "womanly" pursuits). When her brother's pre-wedding feast is attacked, and Lordan (her brother) is injured, their father (Rathgar) is killed, and Lordan's bride-to-be (Dierna) is carried off, Kerowyn sets out to search for her.

Through the decades she trains with Tarma (as mentor) and Daren (as fellow student), becomes a mercenary and eventually leads her own mercenary outfit, eventually finding her way to Valdemar. …more