The Shattered Path

Book 1 of The Sword of M'Rael -

Alara had learned magic in a kingdom where magic was forbidden to women, and she had gone even further to learn magic forbidden to all. She embarks on a perilous journey, pursued by the relentless wizards of Raujorn, and learns that her magical abilities may be a curse rather than a gift.

Aerham had been trained since his earliest memories to become a knight in the Brotherhood of Light, but upon arrival at the Brotherhood's legendary fortress, he learns that the knights are not as honorable as the stories say and he finds himself pushed toward a destiny which he cannot avoid.

Aryl had only joined the Brotherhood because of his friend Aerham. Choosing to avoid soldiering, he signed on as a scout and found himself thrust into the harsh frontier lands along with another scout, Jaegor. Together, they learn of a danger
greater than anyone could have guessed.

Theseus awakens in the forest unable to remember how he came to be there. As some of his memories return, he learns that he is a Draechai and that he had been on an important mission. He must find a now-grown child that he had lost and take her to a tower in a dark and dangerous place. But he cannot remember why! Other Draechai seek to stop him and a creature of purest darkness stalks him from the Umbra.

This is the beginning of your window in to the story of M'Rael. Three young people find their lives turned upside down and struggle to survive. Pursued by the wizards of Raujorn, encountering mysterious Draechai and mystical Tael, they find themselves pulled in different directions as creatures from the Dark begin to threaten M'Rael once more.