A Blade's Beginning — Lisa Blackwood

After being freed from her prison cell by the King of the Gryphons, Enkara will endure the dangers of court intrigues and assassins to be united with the gryphon cub who kept her sane during the many years she spent in a dark dungeon.But if she doesn't reach him in time, an assassin in the service of the Queen of the Underworld will steal away her only chance to save him.Author's Note:A Blade's Beginning is a short story that is part of the Ishtar's Legacy universe. It ties together events from Ishtar's Blade and Blade's Honor. I've decided to publish it separately from book 2 in the series because of the sixteen-year span of time between books. And many readers say they don't like prologues. If prologues aren't your thing, skip this story and just grab Blade's Honor.