This has been nagging at me for some time now... There is a girl (who I think is really a princess) who's family has been massacred by a usurper. She masquerades as a boy and seeks out a hermit who used to be a great war leader/arms master/guard captain/something like that. He is hidden and supported by a remote village in return for the protection from bandits his reputation brings. She convinces him (through stubborn determination) to teach her the sword. He tries to get her to quit through wearing her out but she sticks with it.
The setting is at least vaguely oriental - she sleeps on the porch; the eat mainly rice; wear sandals; bamboo - that sort of thing.
I remember it was well written, and I wish I could find it to finish it. I can't even remember why I stopped reading.
Sound familiar to any one?
UPDATE: I found it!!!! The Paladin, by C.J. Cherryh
There is a girl (who I think is really a princess) who's family has been massacred by a usurper. She masquerades as a boy and seeks out a hermit who used to be a great war leader/arms master/guard captain/something like that. He is hidden and supported by a remote village in return for the protection from bandits his reputation brings. She convinces him (through stubborn determination) to teach her the sword. He tries to get her to quit through wearing her out but she sticks with it.
The setting is at least vaguely oriental - she sleeps on the porch; the eat mainly rice; wear sandals; bamboo - that sort of thing.
I remember it was well written, and I wish I could find it to finish it. I can't even remember why I stopped reading.
Sound familiar to any one?
UPDATE: I found it!!!!
The Paladin, by C.J. Cherryh