is a girl. He takes her to the hostel of the Sisterhood of the Sword where his cousin, Jandria, lives. He also asks Jandria to take charge of Caryl Hastur. Romilly becomes a member of the Sisterhood. A contingent of the Sisterhood join Carolin's forces. Romilly's hawk, Preciosa, reappears. At Jandria's request, Romilly accompanies Caryl back to his father in Hali city. Romilly returns to Jandria with medical supplies. At Serrais, Romilly is assigned to train horses, among them a black stallion whom she names Sunstar. She and Jandria deliver the horses to Carolin's camp, where her brother, Ruyven, is also engaged caring for the sentry birds. At that time, Romilly discovers that "Dom Carlo" is actually King Carolin Hastur. Several days later, the two armies engage in battle. Carolin learns that Lyondri is holding Orain and threatening to kill him. Romilly sneaks into the city, and is able to find Orain's location. She meets Caryl, who out of disgust with his father's torture of Orain, agrees to help free him. They return to Carolin's camp. Romilly decides that she must enter Tramontana tower for laran training. Major characters Romilly MacAran: The main character of the novel. At age 15, she runs away from home disguised as a boy to avoid an arranged marriage to Dom Garris of Scathfell. In her coming of age, she discovers latent psychic powers, befriends a king and saves an empire. Dom Carlo / King Carolin: Exiled king of the Hasturs of Hali. Lord Orain of Castamir: King Carolin's paxman and a "lover of men". Caryl Hastur, the twelve-year-old son of Lyondri Hastur. Jandria, cousin of Orain of Castamir, and a member of the Sisterhood of the Sword. Maura Elhalyn, leronis of Tramontana. Publication history 1982, USA, DAW Books , pub date September 1982, paperback 1985, UK, Arrow Books , pub date 1985, paperback 1988, UK, Severn House , pub date June 1988, hardcover 1997, Czech republic, Knižní Klub, , pub date 1997, hardcover, Czech translation by Ivana Muková Reception Dave Langford reviewed Hawkmistress! for White Dwarf #75, and stated that "overall, it's a readable yarn which is essentially historical romance – for SF fans who wouldn't be seen dead with your average bodice-ripper novel, but enjoy the camouflaged version". Reviews Review by Debbie Notkin (1982) in Locus, #261, October 1982 Review by Lynn F. Williams (1982) in Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review, #9,