Note: Described on the author's Web page as part one of a larger novel, "The Sword of Heaven".

Synopsis: Confrontation of conquerors - In Jaran, Kate Elliott introduced us to the planet Rhui, an interdicted, low-technology, human-populated world, and to the nomadic jaran tribes, a people on the brink of uniting under one charismatic warlord, Ilya Bakhtiian. An Earthly Crown returns us to Rhui as the jaran tribes, led by Ilya, are sweeping across the plains to conquer the settled lands, city by city. At Ilya's side, and a partner in his victories, is his wife Tess, a woman of whose true origins Ilya himself is unaware. For Tess, born of Earth, is the sister and only heir of Charles Soerensen, leader of the failed rebellion against the alien Chapalii Empire and now a Duke of the Empire. Charles, who has continued his subversive activities against the alien overlords, now finds himself caught in a deadly game of interstellar politics and realizes he must go to Rhui to reclaim both his heir and knowledge long hidden there of an ancient rebellion against the Empire. But once there, Charles finds himself caught in a battle of wills with Ilya, who is equally adamant about keeping Tess on Rhui. Yet what neither realizes is that Tess has her own agenda for the future, and that this class of powers may prove the death knell of both the jaran tribes and the human rebellion.