In a kingdom where wielding magic means certain death, Dorenn Adair's simple life as an innkeeper's son is about to be shattered forever.
When a mysterious noblewoman arrives in the mountain village of Brookhaven, Dorenn finds himself thrust into a perilous journey that will test his courage, loyalty, and very identity. As war brews beyond the safety of the Jagged Mountains and ancient prophecies begin to unfold, Dorenn discovers a power within himself that both terrifies and fascinates him.
Alongside his loyal friends-Rennon, a stubborn apothecary's apprentice with secrets of his own; Tatrice, the woman he loves but might lose; and Vesperin, a cleric touched by the goddess Loracia herself-Dorenn must navigate a treacherous path of betrayal and deception. For not everyone is as they appear, and shapeshifting Drasmyd Duil lurk in human form, watching their every move.
With the mad king Naneden amassing an army to claim the Sacred Land, Dorenn must confront his destiny and the terrible choice that awaits him: embrace the forbidden magic flowing through his veins or watch as everything he loves burns to ash.
The fate of kingdoms hang in the balance as Dorenn and his friends navigate the world from under the Shadows of the First Trine.
From the heart of Texas comes Cleave Bourbon, a master storyteller who blends his deep-rooted Texas heritage with boundless imagination to create electrifying "weird westerns" that defy convention. His journey into the realms of fantasy ignited when he first discovered The Belgariad by David and Leigh Eddings, a spark that would grow into an inferno of creativity.Like an alchemist of words, Cleave transforms traditional fantasy into something extraordinary. His philosophy? Fantasy is the ultimate frontier of imagination - a space where possibilities are endless, and innovation knows no bounds. With fearless creativity, he reshapes familiar tropes into fresh, spellbinding narratives that challenge readers' expectations.Armed with both a B.A. and M.A. in English, Cleave doesn't just craft stories - he shapes young minds. As an online educator, he empowers the next generation of writers, teaching grammar, vocabulary, and writing to Junior High and High School students. This dual passion for teaching and storytelling fuels his mission to inspire others through the power of words.When he's not weaving tales or nurturing young talents, Cleave can be found in his Texas home, accompanied by his feline muses: Khaleesi, a mysterious Tortoiseshell, Indy, a chatty Siamese and Shadow, a black cat whose presence embodies the very essence of dark fantasy.
