Nominated for the Epic Fantasy Fanatics Readers Choice Award Orphan and former farm slave Augum dreams of becoming a warlock. But that would take courage and aptitude, both of which he lacks. Doesn't help that his mentor is a cranky recluse who sends him on strange errands. When a vicious tyrant ravages the kingdom in a quest for seven mythic artifacts, Augum discovers his mentor possesses one. They flee to a mysterious castle...