description: A Mercenary with the Heart of a Bard… A True Healer torn between Duty and Vows… And a Child of Power who will one day stand against the Darkening…should he live so long… Rhoyd Smytheson had no idea what a terrible place the world could be when he ran away from home. Nearly killed by bandits, Rhoyd is rescued by the Keltoran mercenary, Conor Mac Manahan, and his healer wife Eithne. The bandits are under the control of the bloodmage Socorro Nathrach who wants to steal Rhoyd’s essence. But when Socorro sends the bandits to fetch Rhoyd, Eithne is kidnapped instead, and Rhoyd and Conor must join magic and might to save her. Rhoyd learns that his destiny lies in the hands of a dead ancestor whose spirit is determined to create the ARD MAGISTER.... But in order to live up to that destiny, Rhoyd must face the worst enemy he has known...his own father. “With exciting plot twists and sympathetic characters, Laura Underwood takes traditional materials and makes them into something wholly fresh and new.” – Teresa Edgerton “In this promising first novel, Laura Underwood creates a fully realized world full of mystic, heather-scented resonance, and populates it with characters who step vividly off the page.” – Lynn Flewelling, The Bone Doll’s Twin “A fun read. A debut novel by one of fantasy’s finest short story writers. Fast-paced adventure!” – Steven Piziks, In the Company of Mind “Laura Underwood’s Ard Magister is an entertaining story with vivid characters and a refreshing touch of wit.” – Elizabeth Moon, Rules of Engagement, Change of Command, and The Speed of Dark
language: English
title: Ard Magister
titlecomplete: Ard Magister
genres: Fantasy
ratings_count: 11
publisher: Yard Dog Press