Alissa

Powerful short story, compelling and intense, about foreordained destiny entwining with hope and a woman's courage.
The story opens with the protagonist, young Meiglin, fleeing from a doomed life in the bawdyhouse where she has spent her childhood, with a terrible knowledge and hunted dreams. Janny Wurts' evocative writing style vividly portrays how Meiglin meets her destiny and fights for what she holds dear.
I picked this up as my first introduction to the Wars of Light and Shadow series, there are many references to people and events I gather related to the main series which have piqued my curiosity.