The Councillor

<b>This political fantasy follows a scholar's quest to choose the next ruler of her nation amidst lies conspiracy and assassination</b><br><br>When the death of Iron Queen Sarelin Brey fractures the realm of Elira Lysande Prior the palace scholar and the queen&#146;s closest friend is appointed Councillor. Publically Lysande must choose the next monarch from amongst the city-rulers vying for the throne. Privately she seeks to discover which ruler murdered the queen suspecting the use of magic.<br> &#160;<br> Resourceful analytical and quiet Lysande appears to embody the motto she was raised with: <i>everything in its place.</i> Yet while she hides her drug addiction from her new associates she cannot hide her growing interest in power. She becomes locked in a game of strategy with the city-rulers &#150; especially the erudite prince Luca Fontaine who seems to shift between ally and rival.<br> &#160;<br> Further from home an old enemy is stirring: the magic-wielding White Queen is on the move again and her alliance with a traitor among the royal milieu poses a danger not just to the peace of the realm but to the survival of everything that Lysande cares about. <br> &#160;<br> In a world where the low-born keep their heads down Lysande must learn to fight an enemy who wears many guises&#133; even as she wages her own battle between ambition and restraint.