Emperors and kings thought it had been buried long ago: the Order of the Candlestone was defeated, the grim deeds of its assassins forgotten and its dangerous alchemy shunned. But Arasemis, an eccentric warrior-scholar, is determined to revive the Order and return the continent to its primitive origins, if he can control his apprentices.

Arthan Valient is a young nobleman from a respected family who wrestles with providing honorable service to a weak king. Thrust into a powerful position before he is ready, Arthan must navigate the political intrigue of a court in slow collapse, while avoiding Arasemis's new assassins.

Arasemis, Arthan, and their companions learn that help can be found in the most unlikely of places, even as the shadow of war looms across the continent. But trust is always elusive.

From the author of The Depths of Redemption comes the second of a two-part prequel to Lords of Deception, set nearly two years after the Brintilian Empire besieged the treetop city of Nalembalen. Now, step out of Rildning's journal and into the turmoil of conquest and exodus across the New World.

Suffering heavy losses in a widening war, Rildning and his Gallerlander companions fan out across the continent to persuade other tribes to join in a common defense against the Brintilian Empire. But Rildning discovers that ancient tribal rivalries die hard and many still suspect him of spying for the colonists.

And Rildning has another problem: his journal now lays in the hands of Marshal Hilsingor, the ruthless imperial commander of the Frontier Corps. Knowing his enemy well, Hilsingor is determined to undermine Rildning's efforts and eradicate the remaining tribal resistance.

The outcome will define Rildning's unique legacy, one that will fever the dreams of kings for generations…

From the author of Lords of Deception comes the first of a double prequel: a medieval adventure on the frontiers of the New World of Pemonia, set nearly eight hundred years before Arasemis rekindled the secretive order of warriors of Candlestone.

Craving the adventures of his past life as a colonial knight, Rildning joins an expedition to seek allies among the natives of the New World of Pemonia. When the mission goes awry, Rildning learns the true objectives—gold and blood. Feeling betrayed by the empire and haunted by his past, he pushes onward in search of a lost companion.

Rildning struggles to survive the wilderness only to be taken captive by natives. By abandoning his old life and enduring the natives' trials, he earns their respect and finds a new purpose—and even love. As the imperial legions threaten the natives' capital, Rildning discovers an ancient prophecy that could bring the Old and New Worlds together…or forever keep them at war.