The Shadow of the Heart-Tree

The Heart-Tree stands guard over Olisolamon, the world fragment she protects, but beyond the reach of the great shrine to the goddess of life, darkness stirs. Anastagus the Truthseeker, once among the noblest of the Heart-Tree's guardians, has fallen to the sway of the Spider, and, in her name, seeks the ruination of all he once espoused and defended. For Azaki, outcast and orphan of the Webbed Pit, this brings the chance to prove himself worthy of a spider-silk cloak and the mantle of warrior, to finally achieve the recognition that will see them free from scraping by on the fringes of the Clan of the Webbed Pit. Under the command of Kogodakus, Anastagus's mad companion, he and his sworn friends will seize their moment and burn their way south through the groves of the Heart-Tree. But cast adrift among his clan's ancient foes by misfortune, and now wielding their same strange power, Azaki finds there is less to hate in soft, southern lands than he dreamt there'd be. Yet, Anastagus comes south regardless. And Azaki is still sworn to the service.