Secrets of a Lost Age — Kenneth McDonald

Secrets of a Lost Age kicks off a new fantasy series, set in a world where the Three Kingdoms of elves, dwarves, and humans rule in the aftermath of the fall of a great empire. In this new age, much of the powerful magic of the past has been lost, and hardy or foolhardy adventurers venture into the dangerous places of the world seeking hidden caches and valuable secrets.Four would-be heroes, each with their own ambitions, talents, and secrets, are brought together to complete one such quest. Their numbers include a smith’s apprentice-turned warrior, a half-elven bard with more power than she knows, a priest of the god of knowledge whose part-orcish heritage has made him an outcast, and a dwarf monk trying to escape his past. What they find, in addition to the magical artifact they were tasked to recover, is an unexpected camaraderie and purpose. Drawn into a broader series of events that could potentially endanger the kingdom of Arresh, the four must uncover new abilities and learn to work together as a team in order to survive long enough to make a difference.