Free Shadows: Book One of the Eligia Shala by Gaynor Deal

and you need to meet your commanding officer. I have chosen to resurrect an old title, one that fell out of favor many years ago.” Hands clasped behind his back, Phillip strode along the ranks of soldiers as he spoke. Dressed in elegant but business-like black and silver, with his height and carriage, Phillip looked every inch the young Emperor; and his dark eyes locked with each man in front of him as he passed by them.
    “You need to understand … I am not re-creating this as a purely ceremonial unit, although that is what people will think and I have no intention of disillusioning them. People will also assume that your commander has been chosen purely as a figurehead, a ceremonial title only.” Phillip stopped pacing, facing the assembly and meeting their gazes squarely. “Let me assure you all very strongly that your commander is far from ceremonial. I have every confidence in my appointment and I recommend that you not make the mistake of underestimating them.”
    Jenevra stepped out from the shadowed portico that ran along the side of the courtyard.
    Phillip announced, “Gentlemen, meet the new Imperial Protector, Her Imperial Highness, Jenevra Couressime.”

    A stunned silence fell. A couple of the men who had served with Raik’s Border Patrol grinned broadly; they remembered the younger Jenevra whose childhood exploits had become something of a legend in that unit. Mostly, though the men looked either disgusted, or puzzled.
    “I can see how thrilled most of you are that you have a woman in charge,” Jenevra said, clearly.
    “Girl,” someone muttered from the ranks.
    With an almost uncanny speed and silence Jenevra placed herself directly in front of the man who had spoken, tipping her head back to lock eyes with the soldier–a bulky man more than a head taller than the princess. “Did you speak?”
    Deciding to brazen it out; the soldier made the wrong choice. “I said you’re a girl, not a woman … Your Highness.”
    “I see,” Jenevra’s tone, and smile, were deceptively gentle. Her hand shot out faster than he could defend against; three fingers jamming straight into the soldier’s throat, cutting off his air. She stood demurely in front of him for the longest minute of his life as he writhed on the floor like a fish out of water, gasping for air. “A girl who can kill you with one hand though.” Leaning down, she grasped his throat, pushing cartilage back into place and opening his airway again. As he gulped oxygen back into his system, Jenevra walked back to the front of the group. “Any other objections?” When none were forthcoming she continued as if the interruption had never happened. “I realize that many of you cannot see how I can lead a unit like this one. I intend to convince you.” She noticed skeptical glances flying around. Handing her cloak to Commander Rabenaldt, she ignored the stir as some of the men murmured in shock at seeing a woman dressed in men’s clothing. The twin swords she carried were visible on her back, hilts protruding slightly above her gray-clad shoulders. “Fine, let’s deal with this now then,” she said. “I’ll take you all on if I have to, but I will prove to you right here and right now that I am fit to lead this group.” She moved into the center of the courtyard. “Come on then, any of you who feel that you can beat me in hand to hand combat, let’s do it.”
    One of the men found his voice. “What? You mean fight you? Here? Now?”
    “That’s right soldier … scared?”
    “Scared I’ll hurt you, my Lady,” the soldier looked worried.
    Jenevra gave him an encouraging smile. “No need to worry about that. You won’t touch me. If you do manage to get a hit in, which you won’t, you won’t be held responsible … not today, anyway.”
    Phillip leaned close to Raik. “Are you sure she knows what she’s doing? Some of these fellows look pretty rough. She could get hurt. Should we stop it?”
    “Can’t,” Raik said bluntly.