In a world where symptoms of magical prowess are actively shunned, a kind knight in training must overcome his feelings of worthlessness to rise to his potential.
In a distant world, magic is viewed as a deadly disease. Those who show signs of sorcery are dealt with in various ways. One such method involves being cast into a mysterious portal, never to be seen again.
Alexei is a young knight in training, desperately seeking his father's approval. Vor, his father, is a great man and warrior-and as hard to impress as he is to best in a fight. They live in luxurious Arkade where Alexei hopes to one day attend the academy for knights.
During Alexei's adventures he meets and becomes friends with many talented peers, like Batu and Scylla, and develops bonds with Logar, a blacksmith, and Ezekial, the keeper of the church.
Alexei and his friends train hard; their goal to find perfect placement during the Enrollment Ceremony in a few months. Alexei works harder than them all, using his father's far-off approval as his constant motivation.
As the day draws close, to his utter horror, Alexei begins to show symptoms of sorcery. The only question is, can Alexei hide his magic and who he's meant to be, or will he sacrifice his dream to become his authentic self?
In this spellbinding historical fiction account of Alexander the Great, readers will root for Alexei as he works to overcome prejudice and realizes that he is valid, no matter what anybody says.