Emperor of the Borderlands (Book 7): A Historical Progression Fantasy Series

The next books in the series:
Emperor of the Borderlands (Book 8): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKNKCDSJ
Emperor of the Borderlands (Book 9): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKNQWJ7S
Emperor of the Borderlands (Book 10): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKNRQ175

“A ruler who hides behind walls while his people die deserves neither walls nor people.”

War has come to my doorstep. The Demidovs have abandoned subtlety—their assassins struck with weapons meant to leave no survivors. They failed. But this is only the beginning.

The Surge approaches faster than anyone predicted. Thousands of Soulless march toward Ugryum, and the princely authorities have made their position clear: no Streltsy will come to our aid. The trap is elegant in its cruelty—they've documented our fortifications as reason to deny us protection, betting that the coming darkness will finish what their schemes could not.
Meanwhile, the cities close their gates. Refugees gather at the walls, desperate and abandoned. Where others see a burden, I see the foundation of something greater. Every soul turned away by the nobility is a soul that will remember who offered them shelter when no one else would.

Into this chaos rides an unexpected force: a mercenary company commanded by a princess without a throne with her own vendetta. She comes with her own agenda and expects to find frightened peasants behind wooden walls. She will find something else entirely. Whether this woman becomes a valuable ally or a dangerous complication remains to be seen.

The pieces are in place. Allies I never expected. Enemies I cannot ignore. And a deadline that no amount of preparation can extend.