RIDMARK ARBAN is the Gray Knight, exiled and outcast, seeking to stop the return of the dreaded Frostborn. At last he has come to the perilous ruins of Khald Azalar, where the answer to his quest awaits. Assuming the master of Khald Azalar does not kill him first. MORIGNA was the Witch of the Hills. Now the dark magic within Morigna threatens to devour her. Unless Morigna can tame the power, it will transform her into everything she has always hated. MARA's father was a dark elven noble of terrible power. She escaped his grim realm, but now she must confront him once more, or join countless generations of his slaves in death. CALLIANDE has sought for answers since the day of the great omen heralding the return of the Frostborn. Her answers await in the darkness of Khald Azalar. But the truth might be more than she can bear...

Epic tales of adventure and heroism! RIDMARK ARBAN is the Gray Knight, questing to stop the return of the terrible Frostborn to the High King’s realm. Yet he did not undertake the quest alone. Here are the tales of those who accompanied him into the terrible dangers of his quest... Originally published as the novellas THE KNIGHT'S TALE, THE PALADIN'S TALE, THE MAGE'S TALE, THE THIEF'S TALE, THE SOLDIER'S TALE, and THE ASSASSIN'S TALE, and the short stories THE ORC'S TALE and THE SOULBLADE'S TALE.

RIDMARK ARBAN is the Gray Knight, and he quests for the ruined citadel of Urd Morlemoch, seeking a way to stop the return of the dreaded Frostborn. For if he does not find a way to stop them, the Frostborn shall entomb the world in ice forever.MORIGNA is the cunninng Witch of the Hills, feared and mistrusted by the townsmen of Moraime. Yet darker things stir in the hills.A trap that might devour both her and the Gray Knight...

From the author of DEMONSOULED and THE GHOSTS, here is a new epic fantasy of high adventure, heroism, and daring deeds. A thousand years ago, the last grandson of Arthur Pendragon led the survivors of Britain through a magical gate to a new world, a world of magic and high elves, of orcs and kobolds and stranger, darker creatures. Now the descendants of the exiles rule a mighty kingdom, peaceful and prosperous under the rule of the High King. But a shadow threatens to devour the kingdom. RIDMARK ARBAN was once a Swordbearer, a knight of renown. Now he is a branded outcast, stripped of his sword, and despised as a traitor. But he alone sees the danger to come. CALLIANDE awakens in the darkness, her memories gone, and creatures of terrible power hunting her. For she alone holds the secret that can save the world…or destroy it utterly. The secret of the Frostborn.

Mara is the Queen of Nightmane Forest, ruler of the Anathgrimm orcs. She wishes for her people to live in peace, but nonetheless they desire war. But when a dispute between rival orcish headmen threatens to ignite a civil war, Mara must find a way to make peace, or else the Heralds of Ruin shall devour her people...

Knights, wizards, thieves, dragons, and epic heroes! Combined for the first time in one collection are all seventeen SHIELD KNIGHT short stories, adventures set in the world of FROSTBORN, SEVENFOLD SWORD, and DRAGONTIARNA! Follow the adventures of Ridmark Arban and his allies as they fight to defend the kingdoms of Andomhaim and Owyllain from the powers of dark magic.

The legions of the Heptarchy have invaded Andomhaim, and Ridmark Arban stands in their way. But without aid, Andomhaim cannot defeat the Heralds of Ruin. To seek out the weaknesses of his foes, Ridmark must travel into the depths of the Heptarchy to seek out the mysterious wizard called the Master of Keys. But the brutal rulers of the Heptarchy will not allow Ridmark to escape their grasp...