Valdemar: Vows and Honor Series by Mercedes Lackey

Tarma witnessed her clan's murder and, swearing vengeance, became a master warrior. Kethry fled her forced "marriage" and became an adept--pledging her power to the greatest good. When Kethry obtains a magical sword which draws her to others in need, the two vow to avenge the wrongs done to womanhood.

When Idra, leader of the crack mercenaries known as the Sunhawks, failed to return from a journey to her home kingdom of Rethwellan, Tarma and Kethry, warrior and mage, set out in search of their vanished leader. Sisters of sword and spell, their fates bound together by Goddess-sworn oath, they were eternally pledged to fight the forces of evil.And evil had indeed cast its shadow over the kingdom of Rethwellan... moreWhen Idra, leader of the crack mercenaries known as the Sunhawks, failed to return from a journey to her home kingdom of Rethwellan, Tarma and Kethry, warrior and mage, set out in search of their vanished leader. Sisters of sword and spell, their fates bound together by Goddess-sworn oath, they were eternally pledged to fight the forces of evil.And evil had indeed cast its shadow over the kingdom of Rethwellan. Idra, so they were told, had left long ago on a search for a legendary magical sword which could reveal which of her two brothers was meant to become the new king. With the princess gone, her younger brother had been branded an outlaw and her older brother had claimed the throne. Both instinct and mage-lore told Kethry and Tarma that all was not as it seemed, that both Idra and her people were in terrible jeopardy. Yet would their Goddess-given powers, aided by those of a Herald of Valdemar, prove strong enough to break the dark enchantment possessing this land? less

The sole survivor of a raiders' killing spree, Tarma shena Tale'sedrin becomes a Swordsworn warrior-priestess of the Goddess and vows to found a new Clan Tale'sedrin someday. She is helped in her quest by Kethry, who fled an abusive past to master her magical talent as a White Winds mage. Together Tarma and Kethry are bound by Kethry's sword Need to come to the aid of any woman in danger... moreThe sole survivor of a raiders' killing spree, Tarma shena Tale'sedrin becomes a Swordsworn warrior-priestess of the Goddess and vows to found a new Clan Tale'sedrin someday. She is helped in her quest by Kethry, who fled an abusive past to master her magical talent as a White Winds mage. Together Tarma and Kethry are bound by Kethry's sword Need to come to the aid of any woman in danger. As they go on missions of mercy and perform mercenary deeds to survive, the blood-sisters attempt to re-found the clan. Read less less

This exciting new anthology includes a new novella featuring Mercedes Lackey's most popular heroines, Tarma (one of the sword-sworn and most feared of all warriors) and Kethry (who wields magic and weapons for the greater good), whose fates are suddenly bound together in blood by the powers that control their destinies... moreThis exciting new anthology includes a new novella featuring Mercedes Lackey's most popular heroines, Tarma (one of the sword-sworn and most feared of all warriors) and Kethry (who wields magic and weapons for the greater good), whose fates are suddenly bound together in blood by the powers that control their destinies. Also included in the unique volume is the complete collection of Lackey's short stories about these two brave sisters as they answer the call of their destinies with sword and sorcery! less

This omnibus of the acclaimed Vows and Honor trilogy, set in the New York Times bestselling world of Valdemar, follows Tarma and Kethry, swordswoman and sorceress, as they seek justice for past wrongs.The Oathbound: Introduces Tarma--swordswoman trained by elite warriors in all forms of deadly combat--and Kethry, former noblewoman whose magical skills were shaped by a powerful school of sorcery... moreThis omnibus of the acclaimed Vows and Honor trilogy, set in the New York Times bestselling world of Valdemar, follows Tarma and Kethry, swordswoman and sorceress, as they seek justice for past wrongs.The Oathbound: Introduces Tarma--swordswoman trained by elite warriors in all forms of deadly combat--and Kethry, former noblewoman whose magical skills were shaped by a powerful school of sorcery. United by the Goddess and armed with a magical sword drawing them to those in need, Tarma and Kethry swore a blood oath to fight against evil.Oathbreakers: When Idra, leader of the Sunhawk mercenaries, failed to return from a journey to her home kingdom of Rethwellan, Tarma and Kethry set out in search of her. Instead they find a land shadowed by a dark enchantment, the claim to the throne in question, and the people of Rethwellan in terrible jeopardy.Oathblood: The sisters of sword and spell have pledged to train others to fight for their cause, starting a school for fledgling warriors and mages. But training turns out to be far more perilous than expected--and when two of their students are kidnapped, Tarma and Kethry must draw upon their combined skills to answer the call of destiny in ways they never imagined. less

Tarma was the sole survivor of her clan, bound on a fatal quest for vengeance, when she encountered the sorceress Kethry. Could the two of them do together what neither could do alone?

Tarma and Kethry came to town looking for a meal, something cold to drink, and a chance to rest from their travels in the summer's heat. For the "bard" Leslac, however, this wasn't nearly heroic enough for his next ballad. And the town had a Wicked Overlord, so surely his heroes would want to do something about that--wouldn't they? This story originally appeared in Sword & Sorceress 6, Jun 1990.

Lady Myria was accused of the murder of her husband. She called for trial by combat and named no champion, trusting the gods to send a champion to fight and prove her innocence. The gods sent two: Tarma to fight for her, and Kethry to prove her innocence.

The Guild Master was ill, his rival's workplace was a noxious slum, and his apprentice's father had twenty dead horses. Tarma knew that something was seriously wrong; now all she had to do was convince her partners Kethry and Warrl and then figure out what to do about it.

Kethry encounters Mara, an old schoolmate from White Winds--and discovers that Mara, who didn't learn much about magic at school, has discovered another source of magic, one powerful enough to kill both her and Kethry.

It's somewhat comforting to know that ours is not the only world where Murphy's Law holds sway.

Tarma and Kethry follow a Hawkbrother's bond-bird into a nest of firebirds--and a woman who seeks to enslave them all.