With the creation of the Valnyr Galaxy, the Guardians vowed never to interfere with the affairs of the mortal realm. However, when sinister forces seek to steal the power of the Manastream, Alamantra's Guardian finds that some oaths are easier to keep than others, in Ash Hester's debut novel, A Guard's Refrain. A terrible blight corrupting the mana held within a person's body sweeps across Freya, leaving Princess Arafrey stripped of all she holds dear, but all is not lost. Her loyal guards Reyla and Tharin accept a quest from the Gods in hopes of curing the sickness, crossing Alamantra to face the trials of the Ten Ancestors in search of The Hand of Miera. But will they be able to find it in time? Meanwhile, in the East, The Duran Empire marshals their forces as the Emperor seeks to invade the starved deserts of Sudra. However, the Sudra hold an ancient secret and Queen Nymati will not surrender her ambitions without a fight. The Great Emperor may be undefeated in battle, but how will he fare in the face of Sudra's Demon Queen?