In this thrilling prequel to The Deed of Paksennarion, Elizabeth Moon transports readers once again to a world of magic, mystery, and mighty deeds as one low-born man rises to lead his people to freedom.

Born to a desperately poor but proud family, young Gird knows that if you want to keep anything in this world, you have to fight for it. It is this bold demeanor and fighting spirit that catches the eye of the local lord's stewards—and earns Gird a chance to join the soldier's ranks.

Starting as a scullery boy, Gird is exposed to a world previously unknown as he learns to fight, serve, and behave like a true soldier—and a true man as he learns about life, love, magic, and the myriad of gods. But he also learns too soon of the brutality of those he serves—the ruling elite who see the people as cattle to be slaughtered on a whim. Or worse. And that is something Gird will not suffer for long.

For it is Gird's ultimate destiny to fight not for his masters, nor for himself, but for the people. Driven by courage and compassion, wrath and revenge, passion and pain, Gird's battle for freedom will change the land forever, show the people that they can cast off their oppression, and forge his name in legend forever…

Praise for the Legacy of Gird books:

"A massive and brilliant book, with Moon's unsurpassed military and historical expertise very much to the fore. Close behind it is her concern with ethics, which elevates her characterization as far above the fantasy average as her worldbuilding […] a model of how to write historically informed fantasy." — Chicago Sun Times

"A detailed look into a fantasy medieval culture as seen from the peasant's point of view […] A wonderful prequel and lead into the author's trilogy, The Deed of Paksenarrion." — VOYA

"Fans of The Deed of Paksenarrion have been waiting for this book, but newcomers to Moon's vision should not fear jumping right in […] I don't think you'll be disappointed." — Quantum



Elizabeth Moon grew up on the Texas border, served three years active duty in the USMC (1968-71), and now lives with her husband of almost sixty years, also a veteran, near Austin, Texas. She has written more than twenty-five novels, including Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, Hugo Award finalist Remnant Population, the Vatta's War and Serrano Legacy space opera series, and the books of the enduring epic The Deed of Paksenarrion, multiply awarded as one of the 100 Best Fantasies of All Time. A New York Times bestselling author, her work has been published in twenty languages and sold four million copies. When not writing, Moon enjoys photographing native plants and wildlife, knitting socks, and cooking.