Therik the necromancer used the water of the dark forest pond to scry into King Trent's castle in Amiindi. He now knew the newborn Mystian had come into life as a prince, and was Trent's new heir. That would not go over well with Lahoflon, the necromancer's current ally of circumstance, or with Prince Jason, who could have been given the title instead. Therik was just amused by the whole situation. Either way, bloodshed and strife were just over the horizon, and no matter what happened, the days of the enchanters- and particularly of the Mystians and their constant companions, the Kysandrins- were numbered. That was all that was important. Therik released his vision and listened into the night surrounding him. The necromancer sat motionless and waited for the one that had caused all the night creatures to fall quiet. She didn't make any noise as she moved, but her presence was obvious all the same, announced loud and clear by the silence that had descended so quickly. The first night she and he had been at the pond at the same time, the occasion had been nothing but happenstance- a moment when both of them had decided to seek their solitude in the same place. It hadn't been accidental in the times since, however. He could avoid thinking about her and his inability to read her mind in the busyness of the days, but at night, the allure of her thoughts was irresistible. He couldn't keep himself from watching her as she sat with her feet in the water. Who are you? Tobias, one of the last Mystian magicians, is also the exiled prince of Cyan. Prophesied to save the very kingdom that banished him, Tobias must not only overcome his father's prejudices, but also his own inner demons and the revelation of the haunted past of one of those closest to him. Shaken to the core, Tobias must decide who he can- and cannot- trust. Lahoflon- the cunning, ambitious lord with his eye on Cyan's throne- has finally made his move to take the kingdom. Tobias, along with Kysandra and Randylor- two of his dearest companions- race to the aid of King Trent and the royal army. But in the aftermath of the battle, a new enemy reveals itself to the exiled prince and the rest of the enchanters- one much more terrifying and dangerous than Lahoflon could ever hope to be. Can Cyan survive this new threat? And if the kingdom is to persist without devolving into civil war, who will be required to give the ultimate sacrifice- not only to pull the country back from the brink, but to preserve the enchanters from absolute devastation, as well?
About the Author: Amanda Ruehle was born in Albuquerque, NM, and now resides in the great, green area of the country known as Western Washington. She lived for three years in Sasebo, Japan and has great ambitions to live in Spain or Italy someday. Amanda shares her house with her long-suffering husband (love you, dear!), three boisterous boys, a dog, a gecko, a fish, and a turtle. When she isn't writing, she is busy homeschooling and chasing after her boys and running her small clay sculpture business. Sleep often seems to be an optional activity. Amanda first started writing creatively in high school, but she didn't really get going until college, when she would write stories in the backs of her notebooks when she got bored taking notes during her biology and chemistry lectures.