With parallels to events in today's Middle East, ZABEL is forced into exile for her religious beliefs. It is a warrior queen's journey from the throne of Lesser Armenia to refuge in France in the 12th century. After the death of her father, Zabel is forced to marry Raymond, a French crusader. When it is discovered she follows the pagan ways of the Great Mother, she and Raymond are exiled. They arrive at Raymond's family estate near Paris, and Raymond dies. Zabel finds herself alone in a culture with different values, mores, and laws. Although Zabel was trained to ride and shoot, she took a...