Grand Conspiracy

Alliance of Light, Volume Two

On the world of Athera, two half brothers gifted of Light and Shadow stood together and defeated the Mistwraith. In defeat, their magical foe set its captors at odds, bestowing upon them a life long curse of enmity that has since woven three bitter wars and uncounted deadly intrigues.

Arithon s'Ffalenn, the Master of Shadow, is both mage-trained and masterbard, and the last living Prince of Rathain. His life has become the cipher upon which the fate of all the world must turn.

And the enemies who hunt him are legion... 

The Prime Enchantress of the Koriani Order has vowed to lure him by baiting her trap with an innocent. She insists his capture will cripple her arch rivals, the Fellowship Sorcerers.

Lysaer s'Ilessid, regent of Avenor and half brother to Arithon, has used his gift and charisma to forge an Alliance of Light sworn to destroy the Master of Shadow. A genius of statecraft, Lysaer has unified nations and inspired the fervent to hail him as an avatar.

In this time of merciless intrigue, fanaticism and gold are raising new armies, while distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn – none more reviled than Arithon. Through clever manipulation of events, his very name has become anathema. And now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded this campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason.

Those friends and allies who stand in Arithon's defense are hobbled, or hazed, into retreat. And the Master of Shadow himself has fled from the curse's relentless insanity, seeking refuge at sea. Yet, for Arithon, the most pressing danger lies ahead. Elaira, the Koriani Enchantress who holds his heart, is about to be given the irrefutable command by the head of her order to help arrange his ultimate betrayal.