The Thirteenth Scroll

Nine barons vie for the throne of Aghamore, but the sorceress Aurya believes that the secrets encoded within an ancient, enigmatic text will make her lover, Giraldus, the next High King. The prophecies in the forbidden Thirteenth Scroll of Tambryn the Heretic suggest that whoever seizes the throne must first dispose a child it names the Font of Wisdom.

Meanwhile, in the distant Great Forest, a blind healer named Lysandra who wields a mystic inner Sight is suddenly beset by dark dreams. Guided by the Scroll, Lysandra and two companions find themselves compelled to seek and save the unknown child-before Aurya can plunge the kingdom into a future of unending darkness.

A COMPANY OF FRIENDS

Talog was warming toward his companions, especially the healer Lysandra. She had the Hand of the Divine upon her – even if she knew it not.

It was part of his training as a Guide to read the clues others revealed about themselves. Many things about his companions still puzzled him, however. Why were Renan and Lysandra not Joined – because she was a healer? Little as he knew about Upworlders, it was plain that they had the same feelings for each other that meant a male and female of the Cryf would go to the Guide to say the words of Joining.

But Renan and Lysandra each tried to hide their feelings from the other. To Talog, it made no sense.