Matthew Ballard

Shard Knight Matthew Ballard

At just fifteen seasons, Prince Ronan Latimer emerges from the Tournament of Knights as its youngest champion in five hundred years. A champion who's earned the right to absorb ancient Meranthian battle magic. Battle magic that places him among the ranks of an elite group of men and women dedicated to preserving Meranthian culture and upholding its law. But what should be a time of celebration ends in horror as Ronan's mother, Queen Arianne, falls victim to an assassination plot. With his life turned inside out, Ronan's thirst for revenge threatens to destroy the life of his only friend and leave the kingdom in shambles. Ronan races to unravel the key to an ancient mystery meant to restore the full power of magic before his enemies. The first part of an epic journey awash in magic, adventure, and romance travels through sprawling cities, giant forests, dangerous snow-capped mountains, and long-forgotten underground ruins.