The Bard's Blade

Mariyah and Lem live in Vylari, a peaceful homeland sealed off from the outside world by magic. She helps run her family’s wine business, and he is a gifted musician; they expect to build a life together.

When a stranger crosses the barrier with an ominous message and a prophecy of rising evil, Lem leaves Vylari to protect the people he loves. Mariyah follows, and their paths split as they enter a harsher world of religion, power, greed, assassins, and shifting loyalties.

Separated from each other, they must survive unfamiliar lands, make difficult choices, and uncover what connects them to the threat beyond the barrier. Their journey becomes as much about endurance and transformation as it is about stopping the darkness and finding each other again.