All his life, Tal has yearned to paint his spear.
His one goal, to earn his place as a warrior of the Hibe Plains, fit to ride with his comrades on the backs of the great Hogs. Until his spear is bloodied, Tal cannot be declared a man.
Until he kills an enemy in battle, he cannot marry the woman he loves. But how can he paint his spear when the fighting is already over?
Durn's family have lived in disgrace since he was a boy. Shunned by the Nobility of the Lytan Empire, Durn hopes to one day redeem his family's name in the eyes of the immortal Emperor.
The only problem is that Durn himself is a heretic.
When Durn marries a member of the illustrious Vasquith family, everything changes.
Once a pariah, Durn now finds himself poised to become Lord Overseer of a valuable mining operation.
The Hibe mines of Bannu.