The Thrower's Apprentice (The Traders)

Shaeli of Purple Leaf has been left behind when her family’s Trader flies to Cave for the Wintering. She is apprenticed to a master of skylights and lives in the city where Great Court looms over all. Queen Virrisian’s guard cover the Land like a stain, and the lives of the People grow darker as the brutality of the guard increases with every decree the queen sends out. Rebels begin to retaliate and harrow the guard whenever they can, returning goods and coin to the People and living the lives of fugitives. Shaeli sees this dark stain only on the periphery of her vision; her time is spent strengthening her magic and learning to throw skylights. She travels to the Starisles to perform, yet when the darkness targets her, almost robbing her of her mind and her life, she must flee. As companions gather to protect her, she faces a harrowing journey to Cave, seeing places and races few people have ever seen. While the journey itself is fraught with dangers, she and her companions are also pursued by the Queen’s guard, and even the mysterious black ship tries to end their quest. Shaeli’s magic is tested time and again, and there are many times she doubts that she and her companions will overcome the dangers they face. Yet does the safety of her beloved Fleet even exist? Is Cave really the sanctuary she imagines? The second installment of The Traders series will have readers enthralled by this epic adventure. R.L. Aiken raises the bar with this series, a fantasy to rival all others.