Series: The Rusted Blade
- Swordmaiden
- Paladin
- Rust, Blood, and Flame
- Light, Faith, and Sacrament
- Feeding the Flame
- The Fire Consuming
- An Embrace Eternal
- Dancing with Death
- A Chosen Tool
- Silence after the Storm
- A True Beginning
- Distant Whispers
- In Presence Exalted
- Servants of Fire
- Of the Dark, Of the Light
- A Warm Glow
- An Introduction and a Challenge
- Flames of the Fire
- Blazing Sparks
- Burning Coals
- Rebirth by Flame
- Aspects of Divinity
- Burden’s Release
- Cold Fire – and Hot Fury
- Resolve and Passion
- Grim Purpose
- That Which Is Given
- Grim Focus
- Weight and Depth
- Grim Satisfaction
- Slaughter and Sacrifice
- Grim Determination
- Duty and Death
- Grim Destruction
- Grim Fury
Orthael had seen more than enough of the Dead for one lifetime by the time he had left the paladins for the quiet contemplation of a vicarage. It had been a blessing and joy to focus his mind anew on the sacred duties of sermon and visitation.
For a moment, Orthael missed his comfortable chair by the window: the commentaries and note-taking seemed to belong to a different man entirely. Then he was back, for it did not do to question the will of the Flame. If it had been only martial skills that had been needed, there were plenty of others who could have been called.
Then, for a moment, he watched this strange and deadly young woman wield her weapon. She was certainly proficient with it, taunting the Lesser creature into an overreaching attack before dancing aside and taking its arms in a vicious scything slash.
Her attack was so different from the expected parry-riposte-counterattack response that he very nearly summoned and released a spell to shield her.
