Book excerpt: Brave swordsman Nico, now in his fifties, has been married to sorceress Veras for twenty years, their daughter, Justice now sixteen. His thoughts are often with his daughter as she develops her sword and archery skills. But when tragedy strikes, his life is changed forever. While Nico struggles, his daughter finds that she has inherited a great deal of her mother’s magic. This magic is very strong, and she requires the aid of Superior Sorcerer Xyron to learn to manage it. While the family is challenged with their own struggles, trespassers enter the City of Espri from Queen Brillianna’s neighbouring realm, with a plan to expand their own territory into this one. As armies cross the border river into King Yurmar’s land, Queen Brillianna’s sorceress uses sinister spells to render Yurmar’s people helpless. The finest practitioners of magic are sent to battle this strange power, including the palace sorcerer Wystan, Superior Xyron, Justice, Giever, Aislinn, and Creda. Joining them are warriors Joul Zann, Ferren, and Nico’s son Aldred. However, King Yurmar has asked Nico to remain in the city. But Nico has had a dream. In it, it is his fate to save Justice’s life as she battles Brillianna’s sorceress. Will he remain behind? Or will he lose his own life to save his daughter’s?