Cinder Shade's life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he

awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is

a driving imperative-to protect those who can't defend themselves and become a

warrior worthy of the name.

He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are

made evident and the language of steel is made clear. When he earns a place at

a prestigious elven warrior academy, Cinder fights to enhance his knowledge and

perhaps even humble the proud elves who believe no human is their equal.

His hard-earned skills are put to the test when strange rumblings emanate from deep

in the Dagger Mountains. Monsters out of myth emerge. And so does something far

worse . . .

An ancient god. The world believes this deity long dead, but he is very much alive. And he

remembers his enemies all too well. Even if they don't remember themselves.