War ravages the lands; as humanity is busy destroying itself a hidden hand is guiding the conflagration. An old enemy, long subdued, is on the rise, hidden from the eyes of men. When humanity has been weakened sufficiently they will return and reclaim all that was lost. Imprisoned deep underground, their dark god Badur awaits release. To do so will require the three crystals of power used to seal his prison, and the living blood of an heir to the throne of Jarro. J...

Prologue Amberlay stopped the horse and stared back at the mountains. Watching the flashes of light flaring and dying, a testament to the desperate fight taking place filled her with sorrow. Artatan, her love, and Grifwen the dwarf mage were standing alone in the pass, holding back the Karesh search party, giving her the time needed to escape. Tears dripped from Amberlay’s cheeks. She would have been by his side at the end but for the babe kicking wildly in her...