War is inevitable.

The Five Mages have fled the Grist zealots and fallen into the hands of the heretical nobility across the lake. Noblemen have come from across the province to win their hands—and their magic—for themselves. But only four can prevail.

Dayma will never be brought low again. She will marry well, and build a strong bond with a wealthy protector. But it’s not up to her. Who will win her hand in the tournament? To make matters worse, the Grist have followed them across the lake, and are tying to fix the tournament so their chosen pious nobles capture the handmaids.

Blaise doesn’t do “work”. If he never tries, he can never fail, right? Good thing his father assigned a surrogate to fight in the tournament for him. He can sit on his ass and still win a handmaid’s magic for his father. Except one of the handmaids deserves more than that. She deserves a good man, a good mate.

Join Dayma and Blaise as they spawn a magic stork bird, learn to wield their magic, and brutalize their enemies, both on the tourney field and in the banquet hall.