All the world is kept in a delicate balance under the supervision of the Wizard Lord. It is his duty to govern lightly and protect his domain ... but if he should stray from the way of the just, then it is up to the Chosen to intercede.The Chosen are the Leader, the Seer, the Swordsman, the Beauty, the Thief, the Scholar, the Archer, and the Speaker. They are magically infused mortal individuals who, for the term of their service, have only one function - to remove an errant Wizard Lord.The Chosen fulfilled this role when they removed the insane and tyrannical former Wizard Lord and exposed treachery within their own ranks.The newly chosen Wizard Lord appears to be loved by all ... but he has changed the playing field by neutralizing all magic in his domain. He has either murdered or successfully blocked his adversaries and their challenges to his omnipotence.Sword is on the run. He must work alone to restore order to his fair land and unravel the mystery of the Ninth Talisman, which might be the salvation or downfall of all that is good.Alone, Sword must battle the elements in a hostile land in order to confront his adversary on his own terms at the Summer Palace. Read Less