Sheepfarmer's Daughter
Locus Award nominee 1989.
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter may be the daughter of a humble sheep farmer in the far north end of the kingdom, but she dreams of so much more. After refusing her father’s orders to do the sensible thing and marry the pig farmer down the road, Paks, runs away to join a band of mercenaries, dreaming of daring deeds and military glory.
But life in the army is different than she imagined, and her daydreams at first seem to be turning to nightmares. But Paks refuses to let her dreams die – and does her duty with honor and integrity. Her path is an arduous one, but it will transform her into a hero remembered in songs, chosen by the gods to restore a lost ruler to his throne.
Elizabeth Moon
Elizabeth Moon is an American fantasy and science fiction author. She was born born 1945. She grew up on the Texas-Mexico border. She has degrees in history and biology, and she programmed computers while in the Marine Corps.
She began writing stories in childhood, but didn't make a fiction sale until she was forty. She has several books in print, including The Speed of Dark. She and her husband live in Central Texas; their son, in his early twenties, is autistic.
She loves the outdoors, rides horses, sings in a choir, and would rather do anything than clean house.
The Deed of Paksenarrion
Running away to become a soldier rather than marry the man her family had chosen for her, Paksenarrion, a sheep farmer's daughter, becomes a legendary heroine to her people.
The Deed of Paksenarrion consists of three primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Legend of Paksenarrion