Books in the Fire on the Border series

Taking advantage of confusion after a nearby battle, soldiers from Jericho attack a small village north of the Dead Sea. Two young children defend themselves and wound one attacker in the leg. Three adult villagers also survive to teach the children to live only for revenge and training rules their daily lives.Ashur and Gemekaa grow up as warriors but their feelings for each other blurs the need for revenge. Ashur expands his love-making skills with a city girl but he does not have the courage to tell Gemekaa the truth. Only after the adults have died do they finally leave the village to begin to seek the attackers in Canaanite towns along the shores of the Dead Sea.They go to Zeboim where Gemekaa learns of Ashur's betrayal but she knows she must remain with him as, despite her anger, she still loves him. They befriend two traders who help them to discover the harsh laws, inept legal judgments and rudeness from the local populace which combine to force the traders to decide to return home.On the way to Jericho the youngsters help a band of travelling entertainers to rescue precious costumes that had been stolen by local rogues. They join the troupe who move easily from city to city in the land of Canaan.It does not take the youngsters long to find their quarry in Jericho but they discover that he is Prince Therol, the heir to the throne. The Prince is a spoilt, but crafty, opponent and after several brushes with death, the youngsters decide to give up their quest and flee to safety in Egypt.However, the Prince will not let them go so easily. He has harboured bitter memories over his injured leg and once he realises who is responsible for his hated limp he is relentless in his pursuit of them.He has designs on the pretty Gemekaa and wants a slow painful death for Ashur. He finally corners them in Sodom where matters are taken out of his hands by the forces of nature. The whole valley erupts in fire and smoke, so the youngsters must fight nature, and overcome the Prince, if they are to survive.Working together the two youngsters fight Prince Therol and must hard work together to escape the forces of nature. Once they are safe will they go to Egypt or return to their old ways?