DARIEN

The city of Darien lies at the heart of a dying empire.Twelve families race for a throne soon to be made vacant - by murder or civil war. Into this fevered, hungry city come six strangers:An orphan and an old swordsman.A hunter and a pitiless killer.A young thief and a cynical chancer.

SHIANG

In Shiang, the young king rules without dissent. Swordsmen stand watch on every corner, looking for the first sign of rebellion.Yet in one swift move, order is overturned.The balance of centuries is undone in the sudden spill of blood - and in the darkness, something terrible returns to Shiang . . .Far to the west, four Shiang masters approach the city walls of Darien. The sword saint and his companions have crossed a continent to bring an old man home for punishment.

THE SWORD SAINT

Success has drawn a cold gaze. A false king seeks dominion. His soldiers will bring desolation and despair to Darien. With treachery on all sides, the ancient capital looks set to fall.Yet within the walls of that great city, a small team gathers. Tellius knows each one: a hunter, a gambler, a dead man, a wielder of threads - and the sword saint of Shiang. When Darien herself is threatened, Tellius will ask them to stand.A city is worth more than the lives of those within. Darien's streets and courts and homes and taverns are a bonfire on the hill, a beacon of life and light in the world.