Dusk Rising — John Hamilton

“How interesting,” it said with a heavy accent. “You are certainly no paladin.” “Actually... I am,” Eleazaar replied as he gasped to catch his breath. “I am just having... an unseemly hair day.” The much anticipated sequel to The Insignificance Paradigm, Dusk Rising continues the epic story of the lost prince of Pinnea, Eleazaar Oman, a cleric of the Order of Infinite Light. Now at eighteen, a year of introspect on his tragic quest into Satoochie Forest has helped him come to terms, as all must, with personal losses. When trouble arises in the southern mountains where the Urada and Kolradi meet, he is ready to answer the call when his mentor comes seeking his aid. Banded together with a collection of volunteers and led by noble paladin Sir Fausto de Harela, sent by Lord Alcantara, he sets off to try and save the people of the small craft village of Eoferwic. Located in the domain of Lord Tirabassi, his own attempt to resolve the crisis did not fare well, and some fear the violent threat could spill beyond his provincial borders. With information about what danger they face limited to grisly remains and second-hand tales, the group ascends the mountains unsure of what to expect. But, Eleazaar thinks he may already know what lies ahead from his own research... even if the others do not want to hear it. There is a pattern to the killings and it only fits one profile in the tomes. He is ready for it, or at least he thinks he is. His faith will be tested in ways he did not imagine as he comes face to face with the darkest and most vile of all predators.