Berserker of Gambria - Misfits of Gambria, #1

A science-fantasy adventure series.  Murder, intrigue, suspense, and romance - all set in a medieval rivalry of two kingdoms at war. With their spaceship destroyed, the remaining two survivors of a failed colonization mission jettison down to a planet with the hope they can survive. Duncan, a bookish linguist, and Alexis, a beautiful gladiator in the prime of her career, suddenly find themselves drawn into the struggles between two warring kingdoms.
Their fortunes improve when Alexis' combat skills are discovered, and she is challenged by the nation's berserker who underestimates his opponent and pays dearly for it. Yet no sooner is she awarded his position, title, and wealth when she is called upon to lead the nation's warriors in the first full scale battle she has ever experienced, against an enemy who take no prisoners. With the very real possibility that Alexis might not survive the battle, Duncan is left alone to fend for himself.
Calling himself a Wizard of the Universe, he is brought before the Council of Prelates to explain his obvious heresy. Deftly answering their questions, he throws caution to the wind and challenges the nation's High Priest to a contest of divine favor. The one who calls down thunder and lightning from the sky is the chosen one of God and becomes the nation's High Priest. The loser dies. (This Series, The Misfits of Gambria is a reworking of a former series titled Wolf 359.   Unfortunately, too many readers associated it with a well-known TV show and the two are in no manner similar.)