She Walks in Power by MaryLu Tyndall

Alexia D'Clere didn't ask to be Protector of the Spear, but after her dying mother gave her the tiny metal object and made her promise to keep it safe, she had no choice. Orphaned at age eight, she began to take over the running of her parent's castle with the help of a trusted steward. Yet, when a plot to murder her was revealed, a friar whisked her away to live hidden in the forest. There, she learned to shoot expertly with bow and arrow and hone her skills to see into the spirit realm.

Now, at eighteen, Alexia continues to keep the Spear protected, provide meat for the starving village, while secretly caring for her ill sister who still lives in the castle. With Alexia's powers of spiritual discernment and her skill as an archer, she is no match for those who come for the spear. That is until she meets Ronar LePeine, one of the King's elite guard.

Ronar desires nothing more than to do his duty to God and King and pay penance for past sins. Yet a forest sprite with red, flaming hair blocks his every move, all the while enchanting him like no other. Something evil lurks at Castle Luxley, and both Ronar and Alexia are soon thrust into the middle of a spiritual battle which will not only test their very beliefs, but put them both in mortal danger.

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Main Characters

Alexia D'Clere, Heroine

At 18 years of age, Alexia D'Clere believes she can handle the full responsibility of Protector of the Spear.  After all, she's been training for the important task for nine years under the tutelage of Friar Josef. Nine years of hiding out in Emerald Forest, learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, how to fight, how to pray and discern the spirits is more than enough time. Besides, there are other pressing matters she must attend to. Someone at Castle Luxley wants her dead, hence the reason the friar stole her away at age nine. Alexia must discover who and why so she can return home, yet she fears more foul play is afoot in the relentless illness of the lady of the manor. Disguising herself as a maid, she spends part of her time at the castle seeking answers, much to the friar's dismay, and part of her time in Emerald Forest, protecting the Spear. If the Spear of Destiny should fall into the wrong hands, many people would die and much suffering would ensue. Hence, when one of the elite Knights of the King's Guard gets too close to the Spear, Alexia has no choice but to rain arrows down upon him.

Good Qualities: Devoted, Determined, Spirited, Kind, Expert Archer, Brave

Bad Qualities: Rash, Emotional, Stubborn

Quirks: Alexia shoots arrows at targets when she's angry.  She often lets her emotions control her actions

Ronar LePeine - Hero

Ronar is a warrior at heart who spends his time trying to earn penance for past sins. After his parents died and left him with more wealth than he could handle, he made mistakes that cost him someone he dearly loved. Now he is determined to pay for those sins in the hope of getting rid of the guilt that weighs so heavily upon him. After fighting in the Crusades, he became a member of the king's Elite Guard, a position of high honor in the kingdom.

Along with two of his fellow knights, the King sends Ronar on a mission of great importance--find and bring back the Spear of Destiny, no matter the cost. Duty-bound to God and King, nothing and NO ONE will dissuade Ronar from his path.

Good Qualities Chivalrous, tenacious, principled, resolute, idealistic, noble, loyal, relentless, austere, demanding, God-loving

Bad Qualities: Stubborn, demanding, merciless, self-righteous, critical, suspicious

Quirks: Ronar carries around a small statue of St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes, in the hope that God will be merciful to his own hopeless cause.
He has a scar that slices through his right eyebrow
He is terrified of spiders!

Enter the Medieval World of She Walks in Power on Pinterest

I have some very talented friends who created a few memes to help you visualize some of the scenes in the book. (Thank you Chappy and Susan!)  You will find more on Pinterest.