The Saga of Java Mountainstand Series by Loren K. Jones

For Java Mountainstand, the only way to avoid an arranged marriage to a brute is to run away from her life, her home, and him. Java joins the all-female mercenary company called Freeholm's Firewalkers where she is made a Scout. As a scout, Java finds herself in one of the most dangerous positions in the company--and the most exciting... moreFor Java Mountainstand, the only way to avoid an arranged marriage to a brute is to run away from her life, her home, and him. Java joins the all-female mercenary company called Freeholm's Firewalkers where she is made a Scout. As a scout, Java finds herself in one of the most dangerous positions in the company--and the most exciting. In response to Emperor Frander's attack on the duchy of Lender's Dale, the Firewalkers are sent to the border between Lender's Dale and the duchy of Greencastle to keep him out as well as they can. Java and the scouts become the most active force against Frander's forces. Java distinguishes herself in many ways, including breaking the rules to rescue her sergeant's sister. Java's fortunes turn decidedly for the better when she rescues three young magi, and then stumbles upon the last living member of the Lender's Dale royal family, Samantha. Then things get interesting. less

Things are seldom what they seem. For Java Mountainstand, it seemed to be a good idea to save the Salem Triplets. It seemed to be a wonderful thing when the young boy she had captured turned out to be Duchess Samantha of Lender's Dale. It seemed to be a dream come true when the dukes had named her a lady as Samantha's guardian. For Java, a simple young girl who had just wanted to be independent, nothing turned out to be what it seemed... moreThings are seldom what they seem. For Java Mountainstand, it seemed to be a good idea to save the Salem Triplets. It seemed to be a wonderful thing when the young boy she had captured turned out to be Duchess Samantha of Lender's Dale. It seemed to be a dream come true when the dukes had named her a lady as Samantha's guardian. For Java, a simple young girl who had just wanted to be independent, nothing turned out to be what it seemed. Now she is faced with another round of sweeping changes in her life that shred her plans. But they place her in a position to do what few have ever dared. This new change to her fate places her in a position to challenge Emperor Frander, and win back a little of the world he'd stolen. And that he'd stolen it from her "daughter" made it all the better. less