As a scholar, Alpheus never cared for what he once believed to be fantasy. But his encounter with a mysterious sorcerer has changed everything. Sorcery is real, even for mortals. Every king in the land is wary of this new power, perhaps each plotting to claim a major stake of the destructive power, if not to devour other kingdoms, then to build on the ability to achieve such a feat. The misery of war, which ended only seven years ago,...