Windy City Reviews: "Intriguing premise, clear conflict, and a sound resolution." Deep within the heart of an ancient city ruled by a powerful empire, a young orphan named Baltor struggles daily to survive, having to drink from animal troughs and steal food. Pursuant to imperial law, the minimum penalty for thievery means the loss of a hand...the maximum penalty is death! As what happens to most thieves, the day inevitably comes when Baltor gets caught stealing--this time, a loaf of bread. Thankfully he is not caught by a guard, but by a beautiful and exotic woman named Lady Lydia. She not only graciously offers the boy some breakfast, yet a surprising proposition--become "a master thief" like herself. Having no other choices in life, he agrees to both offers. After breakfast, Lydia leads the boy to a magnificent "top secret" underground labyrinth located beneath the city, where expert thief-training grounds were built five centuries earlier. Instead of training him however, she unexpectedly hands him off to a man she introduces as Drill Instructor Humonus before disappearing into the labyrinth.Right away, this cold-and-cruel man's hardcore training proves to be hellish and dangerous for the boy...will he even survive DAY 1? And what in the world do the pictured swords have to do with Baltor's past and future?Read BOOK I OF III to find out these mysterious answers...as well many, many more!**Hint-hint--There's a vampire somewhere in this book, waiting for the right time to strike against my hero, Baltor Elysian!**