Issues
Arion Nelkan is serving out his final days as a soldier in the Athelican military, which is on a campaign of conquest against the handwaver nation of Ishtakar. Let’s just say that things don’t go exactly as planned…
Upon reaching the ancient fortress city of Adrost, Arion receives his long-awaited walking papers. But with them comes a peculiar invitation to a banquet from the even more peculiar Baron Lord Ardam – and there are one or two surprise guests in attendance as well.
Arion and Aliyana return to the Athelican capital, where their differences quickly set the siblings at odds. Meanwhile, their father (and Athelican Prime Minister) Kadin Nelkan meets with a mysterious handwaver woman, who has her own treacherous plans for the Nelkan family.
Aliyana, now a captive, gets some questions answered about Ishtakaran society and her handwaver abilities. Trellis and Chimoku contemplate their next move.
Pressed into the defense of Adrost, Arion must negotiate truce terms against his old commander and comrade, Centor Aurelius. Meanwhile, Aliyana and her captors reach the city of Sind, where Aliyana will be turned over to Ishtakaran authorities for imprisonment – or death.