Deze epische saga neemt lezers mee naar een rijk waar een machtige, in de schaduwen opererende cabal van tovenaars politieke intriges en gevaarlijke conflicten orkestreert. Volg de verweven lotgevallen van helden en schurken terwijl ze navigeren door een wereld bedreigd door verborgen machten, waar magie en verraad constante metgezellen zijn. Het is een spannend avontuur in een rijk verbeelde wereld met ongelooflijk hoge inzetten.
Among the Orosini tribe, the traditional manhood ritual begins three days before the Midsummer's celebration. Alone, the child must survive the wilderness. Kielianapuna - red squirrel - is struggling. Despairing of his future, he returns to his village, where devastation awaits him
Talon, orphan of the Orosini tribe and last of his people has been transformed by the Conclave of Shadows from a trusting young boy to the dashing young nobleman Talwin Hawkins: educated, confident and now Roldem's premier swordsman. The title, won at the Masters' Court, in front of the King, brought him a step closer to his desire - to avenge the massacre of his family. Two participants in the slaughter are dead by his hand; Lieutenant Campaneal fell under his blade during the Master's Tournament and the other, Raven, died whilst attempting to butcher an Orodon village as he did Tal's people. But still his lust for vengeance will not be sated until the reason for the massacres has been uncovered and their architect revealed and punished. The Conclave demands its price from Tal: he must gather information on Laso Varen, a magician of terrible power and subtle craft, dangerous beyond contemplation. To do this means service with the sorcerer's master, Duke Kaspar of Olasko - and swearing loyalty to the very man he suspects of killing his family, even if it means becoming the Duke's right-hand and tracking down his enemies - the members of the Conclave and Talon's own friends
Once absolute ruler of his nation Kaspar, former Duke of Olasko, has been cast into exile. Abandoned in the wilds of a continent on the other side of the world and left with nothing but his wits and determination, he must fight merely to survive. Armed with guile, cunning and an iron will, he starts his odyssey with a single goal: to return to his home and revenge himself upon the man who cast him down, Talwin Hawkins.