The Melaki Chronicle

Melaki, snatched from the headsman's axe and his home, is trained as an Altanlean Imperial Wizard. But his new home, as comfortable as it might be, is abhorrent. He is unable to pass the simplest of tests to become a wizard, though the Altanleans detected great promise in him. He struggles to find a way to pass the tests without giving in to a magic he believes is evil. Later, he will find an even greater challenge as a wizard of the highest order recruits his aid in reclaiming an area lost to the empire. Melaki follows his beliefs and finds love, betrayal and despair. In the end, he faces an even greater evil than the empire itself - one which the Altanlean emperor desires to embrace.