The Shattered Kingdoms

Rising from their sea-torn ships like vengeful, pale phantoms, the Norlanders laid waste to the Shadar under cover of darkness. They forced the once-peaceful fisher folk into slavery and forged an alliance with their former trading partners, the desert-dwelling Nomas tribe, cutting off any hope of salvation. Now, two decades after the invasion, a rebellion gathers strength in the dark corridors of the city. A small faction of Shadari have hired the Mongrel, an infamous mercenary, to aid their fledgling uprising - but with her own shadowy ties to the region, she is a frighteningly volatile ally.

Victory for the Shadari rebels has come at a terrible price. Hardship, superstition, and petty feuds poison King Daryan's young reign, and entire families are vanishing without a trace. Help is nowhere to be found, for their Nomas allies have troubles of their own and the Mongrel, plagued by the sins of her violent past, has disappeared.

She was tainted. Once known as the Mongrel, Lahlil only had one purpose: to reap blood and carnage for those who paid the right price. When the Shadari called upon Lahlil to lead the rebellion against Norlanders - telepathic and bloodthirsty invaders who conquered their lands and enslaved their people to the mines - she delivered. Then she ran. Now, Lahlil must return to Shadar to save the person she loves the most and rebuild. She finds a kingdom that has devolved to political discord and an old enemy's ships sailing just beyond the horizon.