FOUR PRETENDERS & THE TALISMANS OF DARKNESS & LIGHT — Melvin Karew

In a world of fantasy, two enemies square off against one another: Grimlindus, the general, necromancer and suave lord of evil; and Ariadne, young refugee princess, fleeing the invasion of her homeland and the murder of her family. Grimlindus has captured Ariadne and plans a ritual to unmake her. Ariadne's companions, the wizards, warriors and thieves, are left without a purpose and they scatter in different directions, collecting allies in their war and searching for ancient artifacts and prophesies. Ariadne must escape with new companions, assassins, barbarians and a sorcerer, and flee into frozen lands in a bid to return to her homeland. But all is not as it seems. Ariadne is but one pretender to one of the thrones of the Westland and there are three others who are seeking crowns. And to defeat Grimlindus, they must unlock the secrets of the talismans of darkness and light.