Ember Ð wanderer, meddler, a friend to those with problems, and a thorn in the side of those who cause them, sometime monster-killer and always a sworn enemy of the wretched and merciless gods who delight in destruction and chaos. The shadow of war stalks the Floodlands: Dundarrow, the new power rising in the west, breaks away from BelhavenÕs corrupt rule. As both sides seek advantage, some become tempted by arcane and forbidden magic. The gods will give it gladly, but it always comes with a terrible price...
A series of burglaries in the noble houses of Belhaven has the BelÕs spymaster baffled, as nothing ever appears stolen. He recruits Castilan, one of the BelÕs least favourite sons, to crack the case Ð but Castilan soon finds himself enmeshed in a web of lies and intrigue that might just get him killedÉ