A gentle leymage and a veteran soldier must work together to face down monsters from myth…

Niamh Starsong is a distinguished soldier sworn to protect the Northgate Expedition, but as an Ivory Order spy, she is on a top-secret assignment for the safety of all Ahra. A Sylvan elf newly stationed near the Tanahr capital of Easthaven, she discovers that the city and its people are not at all what she had expected, and that the most important assignment of her career comes with both sorrows and joys.

Jeron, a talented mage, inventor, and healer, seeks out Valiant Niamh Starsong’s smiles and warm conversation, teasing the serious soldier out of her shell. Tragedy strikes their expedition’s encampment and Jeron saves Niamh from the brink of death, forging a powerful, heart-to-heart bond in the process.

As monstrous terrors straight out of myth threaten Easthaven, Jeron and Niamh must work together to save the people and world they love, and discover along the way that a friendship tested by trials can deepen into so much more.

Trigger warnings: blood, fantasy violence, reference to amputation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS, BOOK ONE

• 0: Prologue Of Important Missions Niamh Starsong embarks on a journey that will change her life.
• 1: Of Snow and Pie Niamh discovers her mission might be more complicated than she’d imagined.
• 2: Of Exploration Easthaven awaits Niamh’s discovery.
• 3: Of Spring and Regret Niamh and Jeron’s are put through a terrible test.
• 4: Of Blood and Light Jeron must decide how far he will go to help the Expedition.
• 5: Of Life’s Cost A brief reprieve at base camp highlights the gravity of the situation.
• 6: Of Sunlit Pain Alone in a strange city, Niamh must reconcile her mission with her new reality.
• 7: Of Letters Jeron’s job as Goodwill Ambassador takes on new and deepened meaning.
• 8: Of Nightmares and Lore Mageguild scholars and Valiant soldiers learn that monsters out of myth might be more real than they’d thought.
• 9: Of Sweets and Sweetness Jeron and Niamh discuss their part in the Northgate incident.
• 10: Of a Welcome Surprise With the help of Captain Hawke, Niamh finds hope Easthaven may be a better place than she hoped.
• 11: Of Tinkering Jeron reveals that his talents as a mechmage may turn the tide.
• 12: Of Truth Niamh’s friendships are tested, and her world gets even more messy and complicated.
• 13: Of Dire Dreams Niamh suspects her dreams may be more than just simple nightmares.
• 14: Of Sparring Estranged friends must reconcile if they are to face the battle ahead.
• 15: Of Good Days Gone Bad A temporary peace fades all too soon, and Jeron and Niamh suspect the worse.
• 16: Of Monsters Niamh and her fellow Valiants must face fears greater than any they have known.
• 17: Of Feasts and Family Niamh dares to reclaim her faith and hope.
• 18: Epilogue, Of Growing Threats Though one battle is behind her, Niamh discovers there will be many more ahead.