"I am assigning a guardian to ward you. His name is Roman. . . ." Thus begins Surchatain Karel's explanation to his daughter, ten-year-old Chataine Deirdre, as to why her life is about to change dramatically. Karel's small country, Lystra, possesses the only navigable river on the southern coast of the Continent. The provinces that surround Lystra want its river trade, and will do anything to gain it-even kill the heir to the throne. So, hand selecting the most capable and trustworthy soldier he can find, Karel places her life in his keeping. Willful and spoiled, Deirdre sees this guardian only as another servant. She teases and abuses him as he places his life on the line for her day after day, year after year. Deirdre does not know at what point she begins to love him. But Roman knows from the very beginning that to love her will mean his death. The Annals of Lystra begin with "Chataine's Guardian," continue in "Stone of Help," and conclude in "Liberation of Lystra." The story continues 100 years later in The Latter Annals of Lystra, which begin with "Nicole of Prie Mer."