Description:

A deadly set of expectations await Alec the Healer, the former carnival hand who is now the Protector of the Crown. He is under a compulsion to travel to the City of Stronghold, a powerful trading base for the Locksfort clan. He must attempt to use his ingenaire healing powers there to resurrect his former companion, Noranda, who is a pawn in the deadly games of politics and finances. Traveling to Stronghold, finding Noranda's crypt, and discovering her cure won't be easy to carry out under the Locksforts' noses.
And if he survives his journey to Stronghold, Alec will need to raise the forces to repel the lacertii invasion of the Dominion. His ally in Goldenfields, Duke Toulon, faces long odds in holding back the lacertii forces.
With such monumental tasks to carry out, Alec seems to have little time or hope of repairing his relationship with Bethany, whose patience has come to an end. Has Alec ignored the water ingenairii for too long while he has traveled and battled across the Dominion?