Some are born unlucky, and some have ill luck thrust upon them. And some have both. In a land of sand and fire, cool fountains and spiced meats, where demons and gods dance together in a tangled web of magic, Talaski bears a star on his chest, a scar where a wizard tried to sacrifice him. Now a wizard's dogsbody, Talaski is dodging the attention of a god, his wizard, other wizards, an assassin, and the prophecy of a far-off kingdom,...