Lords of Deception: An Earthpillar Novel: 1 (War of Four Kingdoms)

Emperors and kings thought it had been buried long ago: the Order of the Candlestone was defeated the grim deeds of its assassins forgotten and its dangerous alchemy shunned. But Arasemis an eccentric warrior-scholar is determined to revive the Order and return the continent to its primitive origins if he can control his apprentices.Arthan Valient is a young nobleman from a respected family who wrestles with providing honorable service to a weak king. Thrust into a powerful position before he is ready Arthan must navigate the political intrigue of a court in slow collapse while avoiding Arasemiss new assassins.Arasemis Valient and their companions learn that help can be found in the most unlikely of places even as the shadow of war looms across the continent. But trust is always elusive.