William of Alamore

Will dreams of an escape. Hesitant to return home to his cruel, abusive father, the lowly village boy encounters two youths walking his way and is delighted when they engage him in playful sword fighting. And when he joyfully accepts an offer to move to the castle and become a squire, he’s utterly unaware of the deadly perils he’s about to confront.\ Training as a knight-to-be, Will and his companions discover tunnels running beneath the castle and are viciously attacked by murderous exiles intent on toppling the monarchy.

Plunged into preparations to take his father’s throne, Prince Paradon is torn between the duty of his birth and his want to avoid the shackles of power. Even as the country prepares to celebrate, Paradon can feel an unrest brewing within the walls of the castle. Unsure of who he can trust, where to turn, Paradon is thrown into dangers he could never have foreseen as he uncovers the truth of his father’s death.

Whispers of war, cryptic warnings, and new dangers await... Plunging into the second year of training as a squire, everything is looking up for Will. He gets to train with his best friends, work a new mentor, and learn to become a knight of Alamore. Though the war of the winter is a raw memory, Will is doing his best to push the secrets he's uncovered about who he truly is to the back of his mind. As long as he never speaks of his relation to King Tollien, he hopes he will never have to consider its consequences.

The price of a crown is high. It may even cost his life... Though peace has settled over Alamore, dangers are far from gone. The arrival of a messenger brings with it the promise of war as Shadow Dale calls for help. Will and his friends finds themselves riding for battle. But Will is certain that things are not all that they appear.