Arial, Shieldmaiden of Middleworld: First of the Tales of Middleworld

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Arial, is a young warrior of King Edmund They inhabit Middleworld, a feudal society in a parallel universe. It contains dragons, wizards and magic. Villains include a word-twisting, double-dealing, and traitorous wizard and power-grubbing, sibling-murderer, Lord Roland. The wizard has used his powers to cross the time/space barrier and visit Earth, where he worked as a lawyer. Lord Roland came by his viciousness quite naturally: he was born and raised into it. Arial finds common ground with a dragon, who has been cheated. Dragons come off well in this story. They keep their word and they tend to speak the truth. By contrast Warriors and their ilk are less trustworthy. There are characters who are supportive of Arial, some who are in league with Roland, and those who remain indifferent. Werebeasts and wild creatures move to their own ends. The political structure, technology, and weaponry of Middleworld are similar to those of feudal Europe. The combat tends to be hand to hand, close and personal. Brute strength often triumphs; treachery bears bitter fruit; and Arial finds herself beset by enemies of all sorts. It is not totally disimilar to Earth.