Forged in Fire - Book 2 - Marcus Vale

In the wake of Adrian Vale's election as Lord Mayor of New Albion, the city stands at the edge of renewal - and of danger. Adrian shoulders the weight of office, steering council and city through tides of expectation. Yet while politics occupy him, battles are brewing elsewhere.

Marcus Vale, his cousin and closest confidant, is no longer content to remain in the shadow of Adrian's triumphs. His ambitions reach beyond trade and reputation, toward something enduring: a legacy forged by his own hand. But in a city where whispers hold power and betrayal waits in familiar faces, ambition carries its own risks.

Sebastian Crowne, stung by his defeat in council, sharpens his knives in the dark, determined to strike where the Vales are most vulnerable. Old loyalties fray, hidden enemies emerge, and Marcus must learn that diligence and patience can guard against rumor, but not against resentment.

As friendships are tested and rivals close in, Marcus finds himself at the heart of intrigue, where every choice threatens not only his future, but the fragile stability Adrian has fought to secure.

In New Albion, victories are never final - and legacies are won in the shadows as much as in the light.