He swore he’d never lift a blade again.

Then he saved the wrong life.

Matsanga laid down his sword years ago.

Crippled, quiet in spirit, finally at peace among his people. The empire he once served believes he’s dead, and he’d like to keep it that way.

When an innocent life is in peril he breaks the only vow he had left.

An act of mercy. Violet flames on the water. And the peace he built begins to come apart.

Dragons. Pirates. A burning blade. And a court blind to the machinations of its neighbor.