Quickening

<p>How could the City of the Magicians avowed pacifists embroil themselves in a warriors' battle to the south? For the nefarious 5th School it's the lure of becoming an imperial capital; for Purdu the Barbarian leader it's proof of his divinity; for others it's an exciting adventure. Back in the City Shoan Council Strategist urges Lalya to make a public repudiation of the 5th School. She would love to but Sas warns it is premature. Hyur suffering from a curse sickness tells anyone who will listen that his venomous sword is returning to the place of its making--but he's mad so no one believes him. Gleswea recovering from a knife attack is being coached into a position of safety but her chance comment wrecks the plans and puts her on a show trial for heresy. Gamblers set the stakes high that she'll be found guilty and sentenced to death by rending. Sas disillusioned with his part in Shoan's manipulations puzzles at a shadowy phenomenon drawing the City towards an unseen destiny. Are the underpinnings of existence--the sentience of Reality itself--beginning to show? Unexpectedly the battle in the south unleashes a second--for the City's very soul!Quickening concludes the City of the Magician's first trilogy where complacency and compromise have brought Citizens to the cliff edge of change. They ask themselves Do I slow stop step away . . . or jump?</p>