Overview[]
Viciously abusive letters are being sent to ladies of the court. The anonymous letter writer knows too many details about each victim, but does not request money. There are no clues to the writer's identity: not even the gender can be determined. Additionally, there is ongoing vandalism of women-owned shops, but no connection to the letters can be found. As the King and Heralds take steps to limit the letters, the writer escalates the harrassment to disturbing levels.
Publisher's description[]
Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar's Herald-Spy, has been developing a clandestine network of young informants who operate not only on the streets of the capital city of Haven, but also in the Great Halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. In his own established alternate personas, Mags observes the Court and the alleys alike, quietly gathering information to keep Haven and the Kingdom safe.
His wife Amily, is growing into her position as the King's Own Herald, though she is irritated to encounter many who still consider her father, Herald Nikolas, to be the real King's Own. Nonetheless, she finds it increasingly useful to be underestimated, for there are dark things stirring in the shadows of Haven and up on the Hill. Someone has discovered many secrets of the women of the Court and the Collegia—and is using those secrets to terrorize and bully them. Someone is targeting the religious houses of women, too, leaving behind destruction and obscene ravings.
But who? Someone at the Court? A disgruntled Palace servant? One of the members of the Collegia? Someone in the patriarchal sect of the god Sethor? Could the villain be a woman? And what is this person hoping to achieve? It isn’t blackmail, for the letters demand nothing; the aim seems to be the victims' panic and despair. But why?
Mags and Amily take steps to minimize the damage while using both magic and wits to find the evildoer. But just as they appear to be on the verge of success, the letter-writer, tires of terror and is now out for blood.
Mags and Amily will have to track down someone who leaves few clues behind and thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly—before terror turns to murder.
Characters[]
Main characters[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
- Herald Caelen - Dean of Heralds' Collegium
- Herald Kerit - uses touch sense at crime scene
- Herald Lora - Farseer grateful to learn the palace Work room can expand her range
- Herald-Trainee Sara - reports latest letters to Amily
- Herald Willowby - responded to crime scene at Sisters of Ardana farm
Referenced characters[]
- Parthen - Herald who recommended Caelen for his current position, deceased
Places[]
Terms[]
Gallery of cover images[]
