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jormis29
Since: Mar, 2012
vanishedschism
Since: Sep, 2014

Okay this is a YA fantasy book that I read as a kid. The basic premise is that a girl is sent by a spymaster of some sort (who I think is her adoptive father figure) to infiltrate a rebellion. The Empire has managed to catch the leader multiple times, but he keeps escaping before they can hang him.
The girl joins up with the group and learns how he manages it- the royalty (or important people?) in this culture has stones in their palms called cabochons. When these stones are fitted into indents on the hilts of their swords, they allow the user to use what is essentially combat magic.
There are also camel/grasshopper hybrids that they ride at one point which have indents in their upper chest area that they are able to fit their arms into- for some important evolutionary reason.
I have no idea what any of the characters were named, but I think there was a sword on the cover of the book. Also I remember some of the plot-twist if that would be helpful for finding it.
Please let me know if you have any idea what I'm talking about?