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The Protector's War is a 2005 science fiction novel written by S.M. Stirling. Second in his series that begins with Dies the Fire, The Protector's War describes the events of roughly a year, some eight years after the Change which altered the laws of physics. It describes the preparations of the Portland Protective Association for a war of conquest against the other communities of the Willamette Valley, their actions in response, and the arrival of a group of English refugees whose coming will help shape events in Oregon.
[edit] Plot summary
Eight years after the change, the Mackenzie Clan and the Bearkillers, led by Juniper Mackenzie and Mike Havel, respectively, have carved sections out in the Willamette valley for their groups. They have become bitter rivals with the Portland Protective Association, led by the Armingers. The Barons of the PPA constantly violate a ceasefire between the three warring factions. During one of their raids, Eddie Liu, Baron and Marchwarden of the PPA, is confronted by a small group of Mackenzies, led by Eilir Mackenzie and Astrid Larsson. After a short skirmish, Liu leaves, swearing revenge against the Clan. In the meantime, a small group of British soldiers, led by Sir Nigel Loring and Alleyne Loring, formerly of the Special Air Service, are on their way to Portland, having left England and the Crown. Upon arrival, Lord Arminger holds them captive, and forces them to help him find nerve gas. They trick him into taking a test canister of nerve gas and multiple empty canisters. The British then escape, fighting the PPA Lancers off and escaping to the South.
Mike Havel, the Bear Lord and Signe Larsson Havel, his wife, have been arguing over Mike's son, fruit of a one-night sexual encounter with Juniper Mackenzie in the first Change Year; the boy's name is Rudi, and though he's being raised as a Mackenzie Signe fears he is a threat to the positions of her own children by Mike. After one of the arguments, Havel decides to go on a scouting mission to find and destroy Crusher Bailey, a PPA Associate who was violating the treaty. Crusher Bailey attempts to ambush the couple, and they retreat to a small ruined building, a porn video store. The two prepare to fight off the bandits while waiting for Will Hutton, the Bearkiller second-in-command, to arrive. During the fight, the British refugees, see the fight and attack the bandits. The bandits flee, losing most of their forces, and the British help the Bearkillers find and annihilate the rest of the enemy camp. Sir Loring and his son meet the Mackenzies during the fight, and come across their old friend Sam Aylward. Aylward was formerly a sergeant under Sir Loring, and the British troops choose to join the Mackenzies and their old friend. At this point, the MacKenzies tell the story of their raid into PPA territory where they captured Norman Arminger's daughter, Mathilda. Mathilda is taken to the Mackenzie camp. Soon after, Eddie Liu and his massive bodyguard Mack arrive on a diplomatic mission. After negotiating with Lady Juniper of the Mackenzies, they leave. Astrid Larsson and Eilir Mackenzie with their small band of Rangers discover an enemy camp of PPA Knights. The Baron then returns as they attempt to warn the Mackenzies. Baron Liu moves forward and shoots nerve gas at the guards, killing all of them, and continues in to free the princess. Liu then goes to Rudi Mackenzie's tent to look for a book that Mathilda gave Rudi involving PPA codes, and during this time, the Mackenzies are alerted. A fight breaks out, while Liu and his troops fight the Mackenzies. Liu's bodyguard Mack is killed by several of the best Mackenzie fighters, and Liu duels Eilir Mackenzie. The Bearkillers arrive soon after, led by Astrid Larsson and Lord Bear, and mop up the remaining PPA knights. Baron Liu is killed by Eilir Mackenzie as this occurs, his femoral artery severed by her short sword. Rudi is saved by Signe, who overcomes her distaste for him and saves him with a blood transfusion. The book then ends with Rudi's initiation, in a ceremony similar in intent to Catholic confirmation or Jewish bar mitzvah, into Wicca.
[edit] Major characters
[edit] Bearkillers
- Lord Mike Havel (Lord Bear)
- Lady Signe Larsson Havel (Lady Bear)
- Lord Eric Larsson
- Lord Will Hutton
- Lord Ken Larsson
[edit] Clan Mackenzie
- Lady Juniper Mackenzie
- Rudi Mackenzie
- Sam Aylward
- Sir Nigel Loring
- Alleyne Loring
[edit] Dunedain Rangers
- Astrid Larsson
- Eilir Mackenzie
[edit] Portland Protective Association
- Lord Norman Arminger
- Lady Sandra Arminger
- Baron Eddie Liu
- Crusher Bailey
- Mack
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Works by S.M. Stirling |
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| The Lords of Creation series |
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| Nantucket series |
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| The Emberverse series |
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| Fifth Millennium series |
Snowbrother • The Sharpest Edge • The Cage • Shadow's Son • Saber and Shadow • Shadow's Daughter • Lion's Heart • Lion's Soul
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| The Domination series |
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| The General series |
The Forge • The Hammer • The Anvil • The Steel • The Sword • The Chosen • The Reformer
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| Falkenburg's Legion series |
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| Other novels |
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