From nobody to nightmare From renegade to redeemer Three years ago, Damien Montgomery was on the run from everyone. That is long past now, as the Mage-King of Mars has plucked him from obscurity to take advantage of his rare and powerful magical gifts. The Mage-King has plans for his newest pupil, but Damien is young and inexperienced. To season the young Mage, he is assigned to one of the warrior-judges that rove the Protectorate's stars, the Hands of the King, as an aide and apprentice. The world of Ardennes has seen murder and violence on a scale the Protectorate cannot allow. The Hand suspects hidden treachery, using Damien as bait to draw out the traitors. But when treason explodes and a Hand falls, what can one Mage do against an entire world?