Of Pawns and Kings — Joseph Campbell

Of Pawns and Kings aspires to tell the story of one young wizard's journey to become a master of his craft, and to ultimately restore balance to a world up-ended by the games played by gods.

The story opens in a peaceful fishing village, nestled upon the southern coast of Bandor, where Obitobaz Nieja studies under the grand tutelage of Orban, master mage of Water's Edge. Soon Nieja's peace is shattered by the appearance of a mysterious and beautiful elf of the east and a wounded Knight of Tae.

Word of bad omens and evil tidings reach the ears of the master Orban, and a pilgrimage must be made to the capital for a meeting with the King. Along the way, Nieja learns humility and the pain of old friends lost.

When he and his master reach the capital, he finds that his quest has only begun, as he will be part of a secret mission to find a powerful talisman and rid the world of a malevolent taint.