Shkai'ra Mek-Kermek's-kin

From S.M. Stirling Wiki

The main character of Snowbrother and co-star, along with Megan Whitlock, of The Cage and Saber and Shadow. Shkai'ra is much taller than the diminutive Megan and is skilled swordswoman. She is also an excellent shot with her compound bow and deadly in hand to hand combat.

Shkai'ra is of the Kommanzanu people from the Sea of Grass (plains lands of the former United States of America). She was a Senior in Stonefort, in the Kommanz of Granfor before she was exiled from her people. Snowbrother

The Kammanzanu are a very harsh people, who think nothing of killing, rape (including their own children), physical abuse, etc. This has formed much of Shkai'ra's thought processes, but over her time with Megan she becomes more emphatetic to others.

She met Megan in Illizbuah, the capital city of Fehinna where they fell in love. She returns to Megan's homeland to help her wreak vengeance on Habiku Smoothtongue who had sold Megan into slavery.