... I guess I understand why the Author is trying to make Asha this selfless person and super strong, but all I can think of is WHY there isn't another woman in the army.
If you think about it logically, it doesn't make sense. These people were banished with their families to the North to fight, am I to believe none of them gave birth to girls and the few that did? none of the girls wanted to be a soldier like Asha?? nah,I do not think so...
Just imagine how cool it would have been if there were females in the army and only the North did this and they have equal rights to do whatever cause everyone fights in the war for the Empire...