Books by J M MacLeod

DISOWNED by her family.EJECTED from a life of privilege to one of abject servitude.FORCED to participate in a duel with only two results: death for the loser, power for the victor.After watching her brother, Artka, march off to war against Ecclessa, Jeda is unexpectedly forced from her family home. Sentenced to a life of service, she is sent to the courts of the Emperor. Jeda fears she will be forced to a life of drudgery-or worse. But when Jeda is scrutinized by the sinister Hod-ya she soon learns that she has been selected for the deadly "Scarth and Avangar" duels in Pitland. Jeda must either submit to Hod-ya's depraved training and learn to draw on dark powers to fight, or resist the pressure to conform and allow herself to be victimized.Will Logon Xychirion intervene and send a brigade to attempt Jeda's rescue?Jeda's journey INTO THE GLOOM takes her from the emperor's dungeons through the menacing Ra-Amawl forest where an ancient evil roams, and ultimately toward the foul, depraved land of Pitland. Jeda soon discovers that evil is even more prevalent and powerful than she could have imagined. How can those who hope in goodness survive, much less overcome, wickedness?

The inception of a spiritual odyssey begins . . . Artka, once a nobleman's son, is now a Carnalian soldier fighting a war against Ecclessa, which is said to be ruled by a ruthless Magician.Lost in the forest while escaping tophets, Artka is pierced by an Ecclessite's kingsman sword-but the sword does not immediately harm nor kill. To survive the piercing and heal his heart's wound, Artka seeks Logon who waits at the rock where he was slain, only to learn a new brigade is soon to be created and Artka is to be a kingsman of it.Invisible enemies lurk around him.Hate battles against him.Sacrifice is required of him.Knowledge awaits him.Only the runes on his Ecclessite sword can lead him to safety . . . if he can survive the journey.