Synopsis
Trapped by the Empress Ykoriana, Carnelian and Osidian are drugged and carried out from the hidden crater of Osrakum in funerary urns. The man charged with disposing of the urns instead opens them and, seeing the two Masters, fears for his life. Disguising them as slaves, he flees with them to the south, where he hopes to sell them and so buy himself a new life. But this is not to be. On their journey, they are attacked by raiders, barbarians from the southern plain they call the Undersky, who seize Carnelian and Osidian. Eluding the pursuing legions of the Masters, and enduring terrible hardships, the raiders succeed in bringing their prize captives home to their tribe. At first wary of the two young Masters, the tribe become accustomed to them and, in turn, Carnelian grows to love these people and immerses himself in the seasonal rhythm of their lives. Osidian reacts differently, however. He can never forget that he is a Master, and that he has been cheated of his throne. Violence and corruption begin to make their insidious way into the tribe's gentle society and their world begins to unravel. Dark, unexpected and unbidden forces begin to surface. Struggling with conflicting loyalties, Carnelian is powerless as he watches his new-found world being torn apart by Osidian's relentless lust for revenge...
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About the Author
Ricardo Pinto is Portuguese, but has lived and studied in Scotland since he was a child. Previously he designed and programmed computer games. This is his second novel. He lives in Edinburgh and is currently working on the final volume in this trilogy.
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