Publisher's Synopsis
Alwien was once an orphaned baby floating in a basket on the open sea, where she was discovered and rescued by a fisherman from the impoverished backwater town of Illonwien. He reluctantly brought her home to live with his family; unknown and uncared for, she grew up treated as a slave, too grateful to complain and too meek to be noticed by anyone. She is not even aware of her own discontent until the arrival in Illonwien of Lucien, a trader from Wichende with a keen eye for profit and pretty girls. Lucien's already dismal reputation, made worse by his official role trying to convince Illonwien to join the growing kingdom ruled from Lothelliar, makes them the unlikeliest of friends; but their friendship may be the one thing that can redeem them both. This is the second book of the Chronicles of Imenras, following The Coming of the King.
