Blessed. Betrayed. Imprisoned. The captive has escaped and he wants revenge... Luka's carefree existence as the spoiled son of a minor noble ended the day his family was arrested and imprisoned in the Eyeless Tower. His father, a political rival to the praetor of Camdon, would never live to see freedom again. Luka should have joined his father on the scaffold but fate – or the schemes of men – intervened. Escape came. Now Luka has a chance to thwart his persecutors and avenge his family. Beginning life again in a distant province, he takes a new name – Rideon. But the past he left behind won't stay buried. His father's old foe is determined to destroy him. Rideon finds help, only to discover a sinister purpose drives his mysterious allies. His new weapon seems to be cursed by an evil spell. Worst of all, he has offended a powerful faction within the city of Selbius. The treacherous thieves' guild is out for his blood and their cunning thief king won't be satisfied until Rideon feels the wrath of his infamous blade. The only whisper of hope seems to come from the shadows of far away Dimmingwood. But can Rideon reach that haven, protect his young brother, and dodge all foes until his day of vengeance comes? Or will the traitors, thieves, and magickers surrounding him finish the deadly work his enemies began?