Synopses & Reviews
Empress Celene of Orlais rose to the throne of the most powerful nation in Thedas through wisdom, wit, and ruthless manipulation. Now, the empire she has guided into an age of enlightenment is threatened from within by imminent war between the templars and the mages even as rebellion stirs among the downtrodden elves. To save Orlais, Celene must keep her hold on the throne by any means necessary.
Fighting with the legendary skill of the Orlesian Chevaliers, Grand Duke Gaspard has won countless battles for the empire and the empress. But as the Circle fails and chaos looms, Gaspard begins to doubt that Celenes diplomatic approach Orlais problems will keep the empire safe. Perhaps it is time for a new leader, one who lives by the tenets of the Chevaliers Code, to make Orlais strong again.
Briala has been Celenes handmaid since the two of them were children, subtly using her position to help improve the lives of elves across Orlais. She is Celenes confidante, spymaster, and lover, but when politics force the empress to choose between the rights of the elves and the Orlesian throne, Briala must decide where her true loyalties lie.
In this thrilling tie-in to the award-winning Dragon Age™ games, alliances are forged and promises broken as Celene and Gaspard battle for the throne of Orlais. But in the end, the elves who hide in the forests or starve in the slums may decide the fate of the masked empire.
About the Author
PATRICK WEEKES is a senior writer at BioWare™ and has contributed to all three of the award-winning
Mass Effect™ games. His stories have appeared in
Amazing Stories, Realms of Fantasy, and
Strange Horizons. He has also published a stand-alone fantasy novel.
A division of Electronic Arts, the worlds leading electronic entertainment publisher, BIOWARE is the award-winning creator of some of the worlds best-selling video games, including the Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and Mass Effect.