The kingdom of Saros trembles on the edge of war. Raiders harry the coast, burning villages and enslaving their inhabitants, while in the capital King Alfieri keeps a fearful truce with the ambassador of the demonic Linyati Empire.
After his village is ravaged by pirates and his parents slain, Gareth Radnor moves to the great city of Ticao, where he is to begin a new life working for his uncle as a clerk. But the boredom of office work is stifling, and before long his high spirits land him in serious trouble. For his own good, Gareth's uncle sends him away on one of his merchant ships.
For Gareth, it is a chance to see the world. But even he could not have dreamed of the adventures he will have.
