The Legacy of Gird

BY THE AUTHOR OF
THE DEED OF PAKSENARRION

Paksenarrion was the finest paladin her world would ever see. But Paksenarrion could never have become a fighter at all had it not been for he who had come before: Gird, the liberator, who taught his people that they could fight—and win—against their Mage-Born rulers.

And after Gird came one more: Luap, Gird's sworn follower and the king's half-breed bastard. Riven by internal conflict, Luap dare not lie and cannot tell the truth, nor face the future.

PRAISE FOR
THE LEGACY OF GIRD

"A massive and brilliant book, with Moon's unsurpassed military and historical expertise very much to the fore. Close behind it is her concern with ethics, which ejevates her characterization as far above the fantasy average as her worldbuilding."
—Chicago Sun-Times

"A detailed look into a fantasy medieval culture as seen from the peasants' point of view.... A wonderful prequel and lead into the author's trilogy, The Deed of Paksenarrion."
—VOYA

"Fans of The Deed of Paksenarrion have been waiting for this book, but newcomers to Moon's vision should not fear jumping right in . . . I don't think you'll be disappointed."
—Quantum

Publisher's Note: The Legacy of Gird was previously published in parts as Surrender None and Liar's Oath. Now we are able to offer both in a single trade edition which, because of its size, will probably never be offered in a mass market edition.

Cover art is a computer-generated composite from the art for
Surrender None, by Larry Elmore, and
Liar's Oath, by Gary Ruddell

Trade
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

First printing, September 1996

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Moon, Elizabeth.
The legacy of gird / Elizabeth Moon.
p. cm.
"A Baen books original"—T.p. verso.
ISBN 0-671-87747-X (trade pbk.)
I. Fantastic fiction, American. I. Title.
PS3563.0557L4 1996
813'.54—dc20
96-2957
CIP

Distributed by Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN-13: 978-0-671-87747-7
ISBN-10: 0-671-87747-X

The Legacy of Gird has been published in two parts as Surrender None, copyright © 1990 by Elizabeth Moon, and Liar's Oath, copyright © 1992 by Elizabeth Moon.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

A Baen Books Original
Baen publishing Enterprises
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471
https://www.baen.com

Electronic version by WebWrights
http://www.webscription.net

WHY WE FIGHT

"You lost children?" Others shushed that voice, someone in a leather cloak, but Gird answered it, counting them on his fingers.

"My first two sons died of fever; the lord refused us herb-right in the wood. My wife lost two babes young, one from hunger and one from fever. My eldest daughter they raped; killed her husband. The babe died unborn. My youngest son they struck down; he lives. Another daughter they struck down, breaking her arm; I know not if she lives or dies. And my brother's children, that I'd taken in: two of them dead, by the lords' greed. And that's children. I lost friends, my parents, my brother.

"You ask yourselves: if they can take one child, will they stop there? Will all your submission, all your obedience, get you peace and enough food? Has it ever worked? You can sit here and let them take you one by one, or you can decide to fight back."

BAEN BOOKS by ELIZABETH MOON

Sheepfarmer's Daughter
Divided Allegiance
Oath of Gold
The Deed of Paksenarrion
Surrender None
Liar's Oath
The Legacy of Gird

Hunting Party
Sporting Chance
Winning Colors

Remnant Population

Sassinak with Anne McCaffrey
Generation Warriors with Anne McCaffrey