The Winter Queen of Havenshire

It is an age without Heroes, an age of Tyrants, an age of Legends.
The Winter Queen kidnaps Ambrosia, the sole heir of the Master of the North, demanding a large ransom for her freedom. Most believe her to be a myth. A legend cannot challenge the Tyrant of the North.

Such is weakness. Lord Fonce refuses to show weakness. Unable to send his army after the rumor, the legend of the Winter Queen, Lord Fonce holds his annual fall games where he pits gladiators, slaves, prisoners, and wild animals to battles for survival and supremacy in his Menagerie. He plots to use the victors to rescue his daughter.

Only seven survive, the Hammer's Fist. He sends them on a suicide mission to rescue Ambrosia. The Gladiators, the Hammer and Ferine the Dame of Death; the Prisoners, Rojier (the greatest swordsman in the world) and the Twins (the thieves, Jay and Jean); the fugitive and sellsword, Corban Steele; and the bowman tracker Crow (sole survivor of his people) must learn to work together with General Thrushbeard Cole who uses a slow poison keep the survivors in check to continue on their quest and succeed in their mission.

They must travel through the untamed North, battle brigands, and avoid those seeking the bounty on their heads (the Cadre) to defeat the Winter Queen. Only when they face the Winter Queen, they learn a truth that changes their lives.

For an army gathers. War is coming. The Winter Queen of Havenshire rises.