His Hand In The Shadows

Norlyn has suffered many tragedies over the years, from poverty to poisoned waters to drought and now enemy invaders are turning the country to rubble.

Ayla Nkri is a villager in Norlyn. She was taught from young what her duty was to her country and to her family: she must graduate the academy and find her place in the military or royal guards. Her grades are in line with acceptance to the renown Orhem Academy. But in a new world of rules and discipline, her vulgar attitude and magic might not be as impressive when compared to that of the upperclass. She and every other like her, are sacrifices for Norlyn and she must remember this-even when faced with the heir to a great noble house, Sir Zayd of Cormill, who insists there is much more to life. A noble who has no knowledge of the the suffering that peasants must face if they do not willingly lay down their lives for their country or know of the negotiations taking place between allied nations, that sort of person has no right to give her advice in what is best for her country or her family.

Strong willed and determined as Ayla is, there something in the shadows-someone is watching, and without her knowing it, she becomes a puppet on a string.