A medieval-style world with low technology and high magic. The slave Guest freed ten years ago has returned as a king. Slavery was common here in Khaln. Captured soldiers and civilians of conquered lands, debtors, children whose parents couldn't afford them - all bought and sold like trade goods. One day when Guest was sixteen, they accompanied their father to the slave market. There, they saw a boy their own age locked behind bars. Dressed in rags, with dirty, matted brown hair and skin marred with scars, he looked much like the other slaves in the market. But his eyes - bright green and shining in the sunlight - held a spark that caught Guest's attention. Guest bought the boy. They bought him and gave him the last of their gold, their cloak, even their boots, and they set him free. Twelve years later, they meet again, when King Scar of Vexik arrives at the Khaln palace.