The world dismissed the ancient legends as fables told to frighten children.

They were wrong.

Legend said that heartstone, an unusual gem, could cure any illness, but Thrylain the Great, the founder of Elinala, understood its real power and destroyed all heartstones.

Or so he said.

Seven hundred years passed and people forgot.

When a crippled prince was born in Elinala, the king ordered his son’s death. Many died trying to protect the child, and in the ensuing chaos the boy disappeared—along with a pendant from the royal treasury. Everyone believed that the child was dead and the pendant destroyed.

But they were wrong.

Now grown to manhood, Derrick’s only clue to his past is his gold pendant with its unusual gem, a long-forgotten heartstone. When Derrick tries to learn his true identity, the kingdom of Elinala is forever changed as hidden crimes are exposed, ancient evils set free, and the full power of heartstone is finally unleashed.

cover art: Jake Schreiber