Tuyo

Tuyo by Rachel Neumeier follows Ryo inGara, a young warrior from a brutal winter land who is abandoned by his own warleader as a ritual sacrifice to the enemy. Taken captive by a powerful lord of the summer country, Ryo expects execution but instead finds himself drawn into a larger conflict where the current war masks a deeper, more dangerous threat. As he confronts magic, political maneuvering, and the possibility of an even greater enemy, Ryo must reconsider his loyalties and the meaning of honor. The novel blends adult fantasy adventure with war, rebellion, and intricate power struggles, centered on a strong male protagonist forced to choose between his people and an unexpected ally.

For generations the Ugaro of the winter country have traded peacefully with the Lau of the summer lands. But now a fatal mistake has created bitterness and hatred on both sides of the river, threatening to destroy a peace that has become tenuous.

Nikoles Ianan realizes, too late, that he should have prevented his own people’s unforgivable trespass – he should at least have tried. Now it seems impossible for a single Lau soldier to do anything to prevent the escalating tragedy … until the most famous scepter-holder of the summer country arrives.

Lord Aras Samaura has urgent tasks waiting elsewhere and little time to forge a new peace before bitterness turns to outright war. He’ll need luck – and all the help he can get from a young Lau soldier with a unique connection to the Ugaro people and the determination to do whatever he must to atone for his mistake.

A year and a half ago, Ryo and Aras defeated their enemy, ending the conflict between the winter country and the summer lands. But with all his important secrets revealed in that struggle, Lord Aras now faces a new challenge in dealing with his own countrymen. Then a message arrives from Ryo’s people: A woman of the Tarashana has come to them from the starlit lands beyond their northern border. Though she plainly needs their help, she is mute. She cannot explain what happened to her people or describe what enemy drove them from their lands. No Ugaro can speak to her — but Aras might. Will he come, and by his arts help Tarashana and Ugaro understand one another? Intrigued by this problem, and with every reason to leave his own country for some time, Aras agrees. But the journey upon which he and Ryo embark will be far longer and far more challenging than either of them imagine …

Esau Karuma never expected to marry -- he's really not the type.

But when he hears about a girl who's got to get married immediately or else she'll be crushed under a whole mountain of trouble, Esau doesn’t hesitate to volunteer. He’ll whisk her out of the way of disaster, marry her real quick, get her settled someplace she’ll be comfortable, and that will be that. No reason in the world either of them should be too much of a nuisance to the other.

Given his whole life so far, he should have known that plan might be a little too optimistic …

This short novel is set directly after the events of Tuyo.

Following the great battle in the winter country, a handful of surviving Lau, too badly wounded to travel, were left to the care of Ugaro tribesmen.

Surgeon Dedicat Suelen Haras Soyauta, personal physician to the king of the summer country, can't bear the thought that injured Lau soldiers have been abandoned in the winter country, subject to who knows what barbaric medical practices, perhaps even to neglect or outright abuse. He's determined to cross the river to care for those soldiers -- despite the risk that the Ugaro may condemn, as forbidden sorcery, even magic dedicated to the healing arts.

His act of courage and mercy may change the world.

Tano may be in Gara now, but he feels anything but secure.

Born to the in Tasiyo, bitter enemies of the in Gara, Tano is trying hard to behave perfectly and win acceptance among his new people. But he fears that any misstep might mean the lord of the in Gara casts him out. Tano could lose more than his place with his new tribe: he could lose Ryo’s good opinion and encouragement, his tentative new friendships, his younger brother — everything that matters to him.

He would rather die.

Then Vayu in Kera, also once in Tasiyo, brings Tano an urgent problem, asking for his help. Tano owes Vayu too great a debt to refuse … whatever the cost.

It's a long way from the northern mountains back to the summer lands—and all the challenges Aras left behind are waiting. Worse, no matter how Aras handles those problems, the summer king's judgment of his actions is certain to be harsh.

Released from every vow he ever swore to Aras, Ryo could remain among his own people. But he can't abandon Aras to confront his king alone—especially as the struggle they endured in the land of the shades still haunts them both.

But, as they journey south, Ryo realizes that Aras may be losing control of his sorcery. Even if Ryo can persuade the summer king to judge Aras kindly, that may only be the beginning of the challenges they face. If Aras' strength of will fails, even Ugaro stubbornness may not be enough to prevent disaster…

A Tuyo-World Prequel Standalone Novel

Sinowa inGara cherished his first wife. But now, with his people heading for trouble, he needs the high standing he would gain from marrying again. The best choice would be a singer -- preferably an inKarano singer. Only one inKarano singer is Marag inKarano.

For ten winters, Marag has turned aside every warrior and every poet who has approached her. She knows she will become one of the foremost singers of all the tribes. She knows whomever she marries will gain great standing through that marriage. Her choice is important — too important to leave to chance. For all these winters, Marag has asked the gods to send her a sign when the right man comes to sit by her fire and ask for her favor.

The gods have never sent her that sign.

This winter, Sinowa catches Marag’s attention the moment he arrives at the Convocation grounds, far to the east of inGara lands. But almost at the same moment, a different problem compels her attention — and his.

Wolves have been singing in the mountains since the Convocation began, bringing good luck and showing the favor of the gods. But now some mysterious curse has come upon the wolves … and that ill luck may be spreading, carried from the mountains on a bitter wind. As the curse intensifies, even the strength of a warrior and the deep understanding of a singer may be hard-pressed to turn the ill luck away from the gathered people and the world.

Rihasi Gerogevet of Saraicana has a problem.

She knows just who can help her solve Lord Aras Eren Samaura, the king’s most powerful scepter-holder. But Lord Aras is in Gaur, a long journey from Saraicana, and getting there safely isn’t going to be easy. Especially as a lot of people are determined to make sure she doesn’t get there at all.

Kior Voeret has a secret.

The absolute last person he wants to face is Lord Aras Eren Samaura. But he can’t let a naïve, inexperienced young man get himself killed on the road. That’s all Kior doesn’t have to commit to going all the way to the scepter-holder’s doorstep. He can escort the young man to the border of Gaur, then walk away long before he gets close enough for Lord Aras to notice anything unfortunate.

It’ll be fine.

Really.

Into the Starlit Land

Tano knew his people would need to return to the starlit country -- and he knew his friend Raga would be among those who crossed the mountains into that lovely and mysterious land. Where Raga goes, Tano will certainly go as well.

He looks forward to the journey -- mostly. He's almost certain every Ugaro who accompanies the expedition can be trusted, and he's almost certain the Lau who come along won't cause too much trouble. Most of all, Tano knows the gentle people of the starlit land offer no threat at all. Everyone knows the Tarashana are harmless ...

A crown forged piece by piece, moment by moment.

Prince Sekaran is nine years old when he meets his cousin Aras for the first time.

Twenty when Aras is given a scepter.

Thirty-five when he becomes heir and discovers the truth about his cousin …

A novel-length series of linked stories and vignettes, each revealing the moments that define Sekaran’s first encounters, unexpected revelations, and the ties of blood, friendship, and loyalty that bind him to his cousin, his broader family, and the summer country itself.

The stranger took four strides and stopped, facing Bereket. Taking a pouch from inside his shirt, he set it on the table. “Help me.”

Never attached, never involved, friendly but never close to anyone, Bereket isn’t a man to make strong connections to any place or person. After three years in his latest job, he’s ready to pull up stakes and move on.

But when he’s asked to help prevent a grave miscarriage of justice, well … maybe he can stick around a little longer. This job sounds tricky. And interesting. Also a little bit illegal. But legality has never mattered much to Bereket. Justice, on the other hand, always has.

For this job, he’ll go far out of his way … if he can pull it off.

A prequel novel to Rihasi