Artesia Besieged 1
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The Calm Before.
Artesia ‐ queen¸ warlord¸ and witch ‐ has led her armies from their homes in the mountains down into the Middle Kingdoms to aid their erstwhile neighbors in a war against a common enemy: an ancient Empire returned to enforce its historic claim to the lowlands.
Originally published a decade ago¸ following up on the last Artesia book¸ Artesia Afire¸ and the release of the Artesia: Adventures in the Known World role-playing game¸ this series finds Artesia and her armies trapped in an odd stalemate at the city of Abenton¸ guests of the city's ruler¸ Elizabeta¸ a baroness with a dark secret.
The imminent arrival of barbarian enemies at their gates is only the least of her problems¸ as recalcitrant allies¸ mutinous captains¸ angry ghosts and spirits¸ lurking assassins¸ and jealous lovers begin to spring their traps and plots....