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A new collection of mostly previously published stories, written by li’l ol’ me, published by Hydra Publications.
We’re proud to announce the release of House of the Warrior Pimchan, a powerful fantasy collection that brings together one of Marian Allen’s most enduring and compelling characters.
hydra publications
Over the years, Marian Allen wrote a series of stories about Pimchan the Warrior, originally published in the legendary Sword & Sorceress anthologies edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Those tales are now gathered into a single volume, carefully curated and expanded with a brand-new, never-before-published final story written exclusively for this book.
Pimchan is a roving warrior who commits what turns out to be a lifelong mistake: she saves the life of the All-Father, ruler of her land. His “reward” is less a blessing than a burden. Pimchan is granted guardianship of a mountain township, a residence compound, and two orphan children given to her as slaves. Responsibility—especially responsibility involving children—is the very thing she wants least. The All-Father, however, is famously uninterested in what anyone else wants.
Again and again, Pimchan finds herself saddled with unwanted dependents and impossible crises, all while being expected to resolve them in ways that serve the All-Father’s interests. Through strength, sharp wit, and sheer stubborn will, she confronts every trial forced upon her, carving out her own code of honor in a world that treats duty as a weapon.
The collection concludes with a new, exclusive story that finally allows Pimchan something she has long been denied: a chance at a destiny she actually chooses.
House of the Warrior Pimchan is a must-read for fans of classic sword-and-sorcery, strong female protagonists, and character-driven fantasy that balances grit, heart, and hard-earned triumph.
Excerpt from “Undivided”, the first story of the collection
“Who do you work for?” Pimchan demanded. “Why was I sent from my home?”
“I don’t know, Sun of Strength. I mean, I don’t know why. I work for Master Aroon Kama, whose land is in the valley to the north. He made us rob you, Mighty One, and he made me follow you. If we disobey, he swears he’ll give us to the monster.”
“What ‘monster’? All the monsters were driven out of our land by Kuhn Pane, long ago.”
The woman shook her head.
“Come, then,” Pimchan said. “We’re going to that hut you’ve been watching.”
The woman scrambled before her, clearly terrified even after Pimchan sheathed her swords. All the way across the meadow, she cringed as if expecting a kick and twice she whined, “Will you protect me from the monster, Sun of Splendor?”
Inside the hut, Tyana and Pimchan’s Female waited on either side of the door, each holding a teakwood club, in case Pimchan needed backup. The captive, utterly cowed, gave them no excuse to use their weapons.
“That’s her!” Pimchan’s Female said, and raised her club.
“Ah-ah!” Tyana blocked the blow. “Wait for the Warrior’s orders.”
“Tie her up,” Pimchan said. “She hurt my Male by accident, and he’s safe and well. I’m going back, now, to make sure he stays that way. My Female, I leave you in charge of her.”
And if she thought a Warrior was frightening, or a monster, Pimchan reflected, as she headed back to her enclave at a kilometer-eating lope, wait until she spent some time as the prisoner of a twelve-year-old girl with a grudge.
HOUSE OF THE WARRIOR PIMCHAN, available through Amazon in print and for Kindle.
MA
