The pages alternate between flashbacks to Kaidan's childhood and the present. This tale introduces a realistic world with hints of magic, filled with characters influenced by Arthurian legend. With the Knights of Vermillion on his tail and the possibility that his mother may be alive, Kaidan teams up with a group of outlaws reminiscent of Robin Hood's Merry Men for a new adventure. Those who have taken over are none too happy to see Kaidan, and there is a reward for his capture. Crossing the water with the ferryman in the opening pages, Kaidan is eager to see his family again but finds to his horror that his kingdom is in ruins and his mother is missing. Years pass, and now Kaidan is finally returning home. His father, King Gorlan, gives him the sword Taliburn so all will know of his lineage. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - Gr 6 Up-Prince Kaidan, heir to the Aesolan throne, is sent to the Isle of Woman with his aunt, the mystical Lady Taleissa, for training. Kaidan resolves to find them both and set things right even if being King is no longer a reality. He's tempted, but with his mother still missing, he realizes that his aunt, the Lady Taleissa, must be searching for her. Kaidan's rescuers offer him a new home among them.

Kaidan then discovers that the King was indeed killed but his mother is most likely alive, though imprisoned by the warlord. Now a captive, Kaidan prepares to be exchanged for the reward money until his outlaw friends reveal their plan to rescue him. Kaidan joins them until they betray him, selling him out to a local merchant and giving the money to the poor. Kaidan seeks refuge with a merry band of outlaws hiding in the forest, who were neither loyal to the monarchy nor to the current leadership. To make matters worse, there's a price on his head set by the warlord who wants to ensure that the royal line has no chance to return. With the monarchy overthrown, Kaidan is set adrift in a lawless land where his birthright is no longer recognized. About the Book 'In a retelling of the Arthurian legends that upends the traditional notions of birthright, a young prince is orphaned during his training and now must fight his way back home with the help of a band of outlaws.'-īook Synopsis After training in secret with his mother's sister, the magical Lady Taleissa, Prince Kaidan returns home to find his kingdom destroyed and his parents, King Gorlan and Queen Olwen, gone.

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