HILIA'S ROAD

 Hilia is a magus, a fighter for justice, and an advocate for peace and cooperation.

Hilia is a village girl of Bacaria, daughter of a blacksmith. Her interest in reading brings her to the local ruler. He teaches her to read.

One day she discovers a book on magic, a book no one else can read. This marks her as a magus, someone who can wield magic, a skill not seen in the generations since the fall of the Nuvum Empire.

After she passes into womanhood she’s called upon to use her blessing as a magus. This starts Hilia on her road as a magus, a fighter for justice, and an advocate for peace and cooperation.

The ruler of Bacaria informs Hilia that the ruler of Lergonia wants to marry the sister of the ruler of Bacaria’s northern neighbor, Vesonia. The only problem is that the ruler of Lergonia is supposed to be already married.

Hilia travels to Lergonia with the young woman in question to find out the truth of this proposal. Will Hilia’s magic and cleverness solve this mystery? And could the current wife of the ruler of Lergonia be another ally or an enemy?

For a time all is quiet for Hilia of Bacaria. She’s teaching magic and trying to be a friend. Then word comes from Regia Evodi that there’s trouble from south of Lergonia.

The old Regius of Largenna has died. His son has taken over, and is suspected of murder, even within his own household. His sister Theodi has fled to Lergonia to ask for help. Regia Evodi has called on Hilia to provide that help.

What can Hilia, a student, her friend Cloti, and Theodi do to bring down a Regius? How is Hilia going to be of any help this time?

Five years have passed since Hilia began her work as a magus. She’s called back to Lergonia as word has arrived that there are indeed domains across the narrow sea in the former Imperial province of Isocaria.

All is not well in Isocaria. Two domains have had a long rivalry. Then there’s Cundra, a domain where Imperial is still spoken and where a magus is at work. What discoveries will Hilia make regarding magic when she visits Isocaria? What deed will she have to do to protect all that she’s worked for?

At last Hilia’s friend, Regia Tatria of Cosria, has formal word from the land of Luthgenicca. That land was once part of the heart of the Nuvum Empire. Hilia wants to know what knowledge of the Empire and of magic that they have.

Instead she’s told that Luthgenicca doesn’t control Nuvus, the seat of the old Empire, nor does it have all that much magic. Luthgenicca has a powerful rival, the “Novium Empire,” which commands Nuvus and continues to be a threat to Luthgenicca.

Luthgenicca wants to free Nuvus and the rest of the land they lost to this new Empire. But they lack strength and magic. While trying to think up how to help them, Hilia sees there might be power in words to do what soldiers and magic cannot.

Hilia finds herself at a few points of decision in her life. The call of motherhood strikes her as she brings a baby girl and the infant’s young uncle into her and Brinwa’s life. Her work as a teacher and a magus will keep her from aiding in efforts beyond Bacaria.

Then there is Matra, and their involvement in the resistance to the domination of southern Nuvia by a greedy empire. Hilia’s life and duties keep her at home. Matra must take on their work by themselves.

Could Hilia’s choices break her ties with the rest of the world? Or will continuing to embrace who she is and wants to be build stronger ties with those around her?