Silver May Tarnish (Witch World Novels)

Lorcan was the son of the noble house of Erondale, but when war came to the dales and his father was killed, he could only flee to safety and hope for a better day. Fostered by relatives until he was turned out by a vicious cousin jealous of his legacy, Lorcan joined with others to fight marauders bent on murder and looting. All the while, Lorcan hoped for peace and a place he could settle and begin anew.

Meive, a noble lass of Landale, was lucky to survive a brutal attack on her dale led by a malcontent who joined with marauders for his own revenge. Like Lorcan, Meive sought only a haven from the violence, a bit of land where she could keep the honeybees that were her blessing and her responsibility.

When these two dispossessed young people meet, neither knows what will come of it. But together they are determined to fight the marauders and reclaim the ravaged land. With a dedicated band of loyal companions and the help of Goddess-blessed warrior bees, they will fight to the last to stake their claim for freedom and a new life. But Lorcan's vengeful cousin, riding with a crew of bloody raiders, could shatter the dream of a peaceful land . . .

A native of New Zealand, Lyn McConchie is the author of books ranging from science fiction and fantasy to contemporary fiction and non-fiction, for adults and for younger readers. Her collaborations with Andre Norton on the novels Beast Master's Ark (2002) and Beast Master's Circus (2004), were both awarded the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel by a New Zealander. Their third Beast Master collaboration, Beast Master's Quest  was recently published. She has also collaborated with Miss Norton on the Witch World novel The Duke's Ballad. She lives in Norsewood, New Zealand.