Ashbound
The Guardian Beneath Velrath
By Michael Black
Beneath the ancient city of Velrath lies a secret older than the kingdom itself.
For centuries the city has unknowingly stood atop a hidden prison-an immense arcane system known only as the Veil, built by forgotten architects to contain something ancient beneath the world.
But the prison is failing.
When strange tremors begin to shake the foundations of Velrath, an archivist named Tomas uncovers the truth buried beneath the city streets. Deep below the Lower Quarter lies the Veil's heart-and the prison that holds a colossal darkness waiting to rise.
At the center of it all is a child.
Alric is no ordinary boy. His presence awakens the Veil, stirring an ancient system designed to choose a Guardian-someone capable of controlling the very forces meant to keep the darkness contained.
Now hunted by a powerful guild that seeks to control the Veil and pursued by forces older than the city itself, Tomas and his allies must protect the boy long enough for him to become what the ancient builders intended:
The Guardian of the Veil.
Because if the prison beneath Velrath breaks, the darkness below will not stop with the city.
It will consume the world.