Lion's Heart and Lion's Soul by Karen Wehrstein are two more of the Fifth Millenium series. These books take us beyond the lands covered already by Megan and Shkaira in Arko and Yeoli. Chevenga is in line to be the demarch, leader of the democratic Yeoli. The demarch must do as the people will. Chevenga is a solid hero, he thinks and acts and later thinks about why he acted as he did. He feels remorse and pride and tries to stay human despite the adoration of his people and the hatred of his enemies. In Lion's Heart Chevenga ascends as demarch, travels under treaty into Arko, is betrayed, subjected to torture, and set as a gladiator in the Arkan mezem. Through it all his willing heart and love for others (aided by the yroli practice of imagining oneself to be the other) bind people of all races and walks to him while fueling the hatred of those who compare unfavourably. Chevenga has foreknowledge of his death before he is 30 years old so he struggles with living well and accomplishing what he can.

In Lion's Soul Chevenga escapes from the Arkans and goes back to lead Yeoli against the Arkans, breaking a centuries old tradition of defending borders but not moving into other lands in war. The struggle within a man who respects the dignity of human choice and yet sees the terrible harm that is done to the powerless is strong in this book. Chevenga allows the sack of Arko by not making a decision (a very powerful message about indecision in our hearts). The war is successful but the struggle to keep Arko Arkan while bringin in democratic practices is very dificult. Chevenga is deposed through a vote and takes to his normal life where he must learn to let go of what "the people will" and see what it is HE wants to do.

Lovely stories, lots of things to think about. It brought to my mind the US intervention in Iraq. Sudam Hussein was a cruel leader who allowed graft and abuse of power but the US can not impose their social and political decisions on another country. We have to allow the choices of the people to have power even if they are not the choices we have chosen. ( )