Book excerpt: The people of Lokas village, in the land of Gravick, have been at war with their neighbors for generations. Just when peace seems to be finally settling over them they are once again under attack, from an enemy long considered myth. Shatala, the power hungry empress of Zutar, will stop at nothing to bring Gravick and other rebellious lands back under her empire’s rule. After striking a deal with the Circle of Five, a powerful group of mages, she can finally see her plans coming to fruition. For Lars, son of the greatest Lokan warrior, his world is about to change in ways he can not yet understand. This new threat is just one of many that are coming to his people, and is more powerful than he can possibly imagine. Towns and cities are destroyed, their people slaughtered and scattered, blood running freely in the streets. For Lars and his people, considered primitive by many, time is short. An ancient weapon, its purpose and use long forgotten, is all the people of Lokas have at their disposal to counter this new threat. To wield it they will need the help of others, many of whom they once called enemies.