Book I of The Runelords. Four days before Hostenfest, young Prince Gaborn Val Orden enters the city of Bannisferre incognito. He is expected to marry Crown Princess Iome, to cement their lands' alliance, but events soon overtake these plans. Raj Ahten, Wolf Lord of the Southern Lands is invading the Northern Kingdoms of Rofehaven to increase his power base as a prelude to facing the barbarian hordes of Inkarra. He takes the entire kingdom before new alliances can be made or ald ones reforged. Gaborn and Iome are among those who oppose Raj Ahten's seemingly unstoppable conquest as the world goes to war and the powers of the Earth King are awoken. Cover art by Darrell K. Sweet.