Deep in the caves of the distant Hinderlands, an ancient menace stirs. Townsfolk shudder at violent memories of The Red Queen and even dare to whisper the name Raudrim. At the same time, word comes to Alastair that Cythraul has at last resurfaced, seeking a devastating weapon in the ruins of Grayvalon. Blood-soaked clues lead Alastair into a confrontation from which only one warrior will return alive. Meanwhile in Anglinore, young Lochlan Stormgarden, the new High King of Myriad, leaves the pomp and politics of the throne once too often. While blending in with the people of his kingdom, Loch suddenly realizes that he's put them all at risk. The fate of his new found love Arianna, his best friend Telwyn, his family, and indeed the world of Myriad all depend on the decisions of the errant king.

About THE DARK SEA ANNALS series:

A noble king discovers what happens when he leaves a door open for evil. The disastrous consequences impact generations, leaving the throne of Anglinore to a wicked despot, the kingdom in ruins, and Aravel's son Loch in exile. To throw down the vile new authority, Loch will need to find the fabled Halfainin and raise a new army from a world of reluctant citizens. Together with his archer friend Ariana, Loch will face adventures that span the world of Myriad, creatures that defy imagination, and choices great and terrible—all these recorded in The Dark Sea Annals.

Wayne Thomas Batson was born in Seabrook, MD in 1968. During the early years he tortured his older brothers and sisters, doing those things that only younger siblings can do to get on your nerves. Wayne  attended Gabriel Duval Senior High School and wrote this  for his yearbook. During his high school and early college years, he played lead guitar for a rock band called "Contagious."  They were catchy but apparently not enough to get a record deal. Having completed the rigorous Holmes English Literature Curriculum, he graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1991. In 1996. he received his first graduate degree in counseling.  He has continued his studies with 36 credit hours of graduate-level reading courses.  Having spent the last fifteen years teaching Reading and English to middle school students, Wayne pioneered the active instruction of strategic reading in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and has written Reading and English curricula for three public school districts in the state.  Wayne lives in Eldersburg  with his family.  Besides dividing his time between family, teaching, and writing, he likes to read, golf, play PS2, travel to  the beach, play electric guitar, and create 3D artwork.