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In the final installment of the Protector of the Small series, Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan has her work cut out for her. War has broken out between Tortall and Scanran, and every available knight has been called to arms. Hopeful that she will finally get some real battle time (because killing centaurs and spidrens wasn’t exciting enough), Kel eagerly awaits her first assignment from the Crown.
She hopes that her assignment will put her in proximity of Blayce, an evil mage who has been killing children and using their souls to give life to giant killing machines. Unfortunately Lord Wyldon has something else in mind for her: keeping watch over a refugee camp and protecting her wards with the help of a criminal army. Feeling mutinous, Kel grudgingly takes up her post wondering if the Crown will ever take her seriously as a warrior.
With the help of her year-mates, Kel sets about getting the camp in order. Training the civilians in combat while fortifying her newly named “Haven,” Kel’s skills are stretched to the limit. New refugees are showing up daily and supplies are thin. It isn’t until Haven is attacked that Kel starts to understand her charge—no matter what, her people must be saved. After a few victorious battles, Kel starts to ease into her role as commander. She’s even comfortable enough to leave the camp in the hands of one of her soldiers for a week. While she is gone for only a day, Haven is attacked and the casualties are enormous. All of the children have been kidnapped, and many of the adults lie dead. Kel’s mission is clear: find the children and kill Blayce. However, doing so is in direct violation of Lord Wyldon’s orders, and Kel will be committing treason.
Throwing caution to the wind, Kel takes off for her next battle alone; that is, until all of her friends and followers catch up with her to offer support. Kel has a choice to make: risk the life of herself and her crew while disobeying direct orders, thus losing her knighthood, or saving the lives of her charges despite what the law might think. The choice is clear—and Kel hopes that she isn’t too late.
In a departure from the first three books in this series, Tamora Pierce takes on a much darker tone illustrating the harsh truths a soldier faces in battle. The stench of the dead rolls off every page, and the tension is palpable from cover to cover. Pierce has created one of the most strong, courageous and brilliant female characters in all of fantasy.
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Lady Knight: Book 4 of the Protector of the Small