Prologue

T he people of Arhaven haven't always lived on the Black Cliffs of Morrowmer. Originally desert nomads, they travelled, never settling in one place for too long. The Great King Magnus was the first to settle his people, creating a prosperous land for all. However, after many years of peace he became bored. He selected his best warriors and together they journeyed far and wide until they came across Morrowmer. The Great Mother, our goddess, came to Magnus in a vision and decreed he settle there, dedicating his life to her and constructing a place of peace and worship. And so, the Kingdom of Arhaven was created, passing down from king to prince for centuries.

That's when the elves came… However, there have been whispers that the elves lived peacefully nearby, until something changed. Although, talking like that would gain you a one-way trip to the executioner. We've now been at war with them for so long that no one really remembers how it started. They live in the ancient forests at the edge of our territory and have strange, unnatural magic. The Great Mother blesses people across our land to serve, worship, and protect. The strongest of these are our warriors; the magicians. They keep us safe and we thank the Mother every day for their bravery.

Who am I? I'm a nobody, a slave with no name. I'd been condemned to live out my days serving the kingdom for a crime I don't recall. But one day, I was yanked from the darkness and thrust into the light. My whole life changed after a vision from a blue-eyed magician.

I'm six hundred and twenty-five, and my whole life is about to change in ways I couldn't possibly imagine.