When Emperor Surabar is assassinated, Shalidar makes plans to put Lord Tremarle on the throne, in return for being appointed his heir. The remaining lords have other plans, however, and the city descends into anarchy. Femke and Reynik go into hiding with the Emperor designate, Lord Kempten. But for Kempten to take over, he must destroy the master stone - a stone which is kept in the heavily-guarded palace. As gladiators face up to assassins, can Femke come up with a plan to get them into the...

The Centre of the Circle. Luke was an extraordinary young man. King's son, child of magic, heir to a destiny prepared for him centuries ago, he had always been thought unusual - even by his mentor, the wizard Ferragamo. Sheltered and protected by his family, Luke had been free to follow his own nature. But when the ancient evil that had almost overcome his father many years ago threatened Ark once more, reaching out in a massive network of foul and vicious magic, Luke must put himself to...

Sigurd grew up with his grandmother, bothered only by the trolls that seemed bent on destroying their settlement. Then she died, leaving him a mysterious box he couldn't open and a confused warning against some dread warlord or wizard — he couldn't be sure of which from her final ravings. Then the grim warlord Halfdane came to abduct him by force into the Realm of the Alfar. Now he was a virtual prisoner in the hill fort of Halfdane, caught in a bitter war between light and dark...

At the end of the Civil Wars, Prince Maryn stands on the brink of bringing peace at last to the torn kingdom, but powerful magics threaten his reign and his life. Only Nevyn's young apprentice, Lilli, can see the horrifying power of the curse, her dead mother's legacy of evil, that could bring disaster upon them all. But she has only untried magic for a weapon as she fights to save her beloved prince. Centuries later the ancient evil rises again threatening a raging tide of war that...