"After the time of the Scientists, when magic as they had once practiced it was on the decline, a king named Idran came to rule the most northern of their lands. His queen Neria bore him two sons, twins, but would not reveal which had been born before the other. As was custom in the Northern Kingdoms, inheritance passed according to birthright; the first-born prince would inherit the throne.

The princes bickered and fought, each determined that his would be the hand to fasten Idran's sceptre, his would be the head on which the crown would rest. Their petty bickering led to war when Idran died without naming an heir.

Neria was heartbroken at the division between the princes, Itherind and Mirander. She pled with them for peace, but they would not hear her. Only on her deathbed, as she lay stricken with grief, did she succeed in winning peace between them. As neither prince would concede the throne, she split the kingdom between them along the river Gliris to the bay that would become known across the land as the Sunder. So were the countries of Miramor and Ithiria born."

— From The First March, A History of the Sundered Kingdoms, by Shelceen, Monk of Orsa

Ghost, Traveler, and Stardrinker are set long after the sundering of Idran's kingdom. Sorrow is a woman of Miramor who comes to Ithiria through circumstances beyond her control; she aligns herself with a group of merceneries known as the Wolves to oppose their common enemy. The Wolves work to uncover and thwart the plans of the League of the Dark Star, a school of magicians gathering power in the Northern Kingdoms. These League magicians threaten the fragile peace between Ithiria and Miramor.

Chronologically, the stories read: Stardrinker > Ghost > Traveler.

Author's Note: The first two novels of the Sundered Kingdoms, Sorrow and The Sundered Houses (working titles) currently are in the hands of my beloved beta testers. Once editing is concluded, I will be seeking an agent and publisher. Work has begun on a third novel, tentatively titled Pashtar's Children. More updates to come as I have news.

Many, many thanks to my beta testers! And to Claire, it's all your fault! - M

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Updated 10/4/06

© 2006, M. Frost