Description:

Orphan of the state, starved, beaten and abused, Jonderill's life is one of pain and fear until he is rescued by Maladran, the king's black magician and torturer. His life changes, but when he produces forbidden fire in the palm of his hand, he is torn from his home to once again become another man's property. Saved from an old enemy by a mysterious woman and two ancient and inept magicians, Jonderill learns about love and duty and what it means to wear the grey robe. Set in a land where nothing is as it seems, rebels plot treason, treacherous kings ferment war and the sword and the spell vie for power.