For king, but not for country. With a growing fear that King Aidan has dark plans for him, a grief-stricken Fallon is forced to obey the ruler's every whim as he tries to find a way out of Aidan's impossible trap. Meanwhile, Bridgit is struggling with the ghosts of her past, but she cannot let them distract her: freeing herself and her fellow slaves from Kotterman is her only hope of being reunited with her husband and son. Above their plights, the cogs of empire continue to turn. What is the significance of the Kottermani prince's mysterious visit to Gaelland? This epic fantasy is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie.

The prince is dead. Fooled by the treacherous King Aidan, Fallon has shot down the one man he trusted to save his beloved nation of Gaelland. And yet, when the King could grind Fallon underfoot, he draws the simple farmer and fighter closer, making a hero of him. Embroiled in plots beyond his comprehension and weighted with the guilt of the prince's murder, Fallon must tread carefully if he is to accomplish the task that first brought him to the cursed capital: rescue his wife, Bridgit, and the rest of his village from Kottermani slavery. If he and his hopelessly ensnared men can survive, they may yet find redemption. Meanwhile, across the ocean, Bridgit is rallying those around her to spring an escape. But who can be trusted? The ever-present danger of traitors and liars among the slaves, and even among her fellow Gaelish, is poison to her plans. With an ocean between them and fouler nightmares looming, Fallon and Bridgit will be driven to their very limits to escape their prisons, find each other, and bring justice to Gaelland. This epic fantasy is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie.

The people are starving ... As Fallon and his friends struggle to control a mutinous capital, Feray is preparing to lead a legion of Kottermanis back to the country to free her captured husband, Prince Kemal. But the real danger is coming from the east – Swane and the treacherous Duchess Dina aren't willing to wait to make their play. An army of mercenaries will be unleashed on Fallon when he least expects it ... An epic fantasy perfect for fans of George RR Martin, David Gemmell and Raymond E. Feist.

The prince is dead. Fooled by the treacherous King Aidan, Fallon has shot down the one man he trusted to save his beloved nation of Gaelland. And yet, when the King could grind Fallon underfoot, he draws the simple farmer and fighter closer, making a hero of him. Embroiled in plots beyond his comprehension and weighted with the guilt of the prince's murder, Fallon must tread carefully if he is to accomplish the task that first brought him to the cursed capital: rescue his wife, Bridgit, and the rest of his village from Kottermani slavery. If he and his hopelessly ensnared men can survive, they may yet find redemption. Meanwhile, across the ocean, Bridgit is rallying those around her to spring an escape. But who can be trusted? The ever-present danger of traitors and liars among the slaves, and even among her fellow Gaelish, is poison to her plans. With an ocean between them and fouler nightmares looming, Fallon and Bridgit will be driven to their very limits to escape their prisons, find each other, and bring justice to Gaelland. This epic fantasy is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie.

Prince Cavan is sure his younger brother, Swane, is behind the children going missing in the city. But his father refuses to listen and sends him away to investigate reports of selkies stealing people from the countryside. A furious Cavan fears this is part of a conspiracy. But then he meets Fallon, a simple country sergeant who has his own theories about the attacks on Gaelland. And what they cannot achieve apart, they must just do together ...