Sword and Sultan — Michael Mounts

The Gentle Stepper goes to the Holy Land, to fight a holy war, and of course she is only in it for the money, and to get away from the husband she deserted. She is Ju-Dan, the Living Saint, and yet not in any way a holy warrior. She is the Sword Maiden Princess, and yet not really royalty. Ju-Dan enters service to the Queen, and falls in love with the King, too bad he's only thirteen, and a leper. Ju-Dan, the Regina Imperator fights zealously, and that's before she's even given herself to the cause. When she comes to truly believe in the fight she's taken on, well by then her young King is dead of his disease, and the old Prince has taken on a young Queen. Is nothing going to go her way? Ju-Dan keeps fighting, and to her credit, she may just emerge victorious, if in need of some heavy stitches.