King of Ashes
by Raymond E. Feist

The first in a new and exciting series by New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist

“Feist remains honorably in the forefront of fantasists.”—Booklist

For centuries, the five greatest kingdoms of North and South Tembria, have coexisted in peace. But the balance of power is destroyed when four of the kingdoms violate an ancient covenant and betray the fifth. Ithrace, Kingdom of Flames—ruled by the virtuous King Steveren Langene, known as “the Firemane” for his brilliant red hair—has been destroyed. Murdering the Firemane, his treacherous brother kings have also brought death to every member of the Langene family, including the women and children.

When an abandoned infant is found hidden in Free Lord, Baron Daylon Dumarch’s pavilion, he realizes that the child is the missing heir of the slain Steveren Langene. Daylon keeps the baby’s existence secret, and sends him to be raised on the Island of Coaltachin, home of the so-called Kingdom of Night, where the powerful and lethal Nocusara, the “Hidden Warriors,” a legion of legendary assassins and spies, are trained.

Years later, another orphan of mysterious provenance, a young man named Declan, earns his Masters rank as a weapons smith. He unlocks the secret to forging King’s Steel. Yet this precious, rare knowledge is also deadly, and Declan must leave his home. He goes to Lord Daylon’s provinces.

Soon, the two young men will discover that their fates are entwined as swordsman and swordsmith together must discover the secret of who truly threatens their world.