SYNOPSIS:

Ari, an expert thief adopted by the guild at a young age, works to take down an opposing guild in the port city of Rookhaven. He also tries to stay one step ahead of the vicious government authorities who will sacrifice their own citizens to destroy both guilds and restore order. Meanwhile, he must keep an eye on his younger brother, whom he fears is in danger from a corrupt clergy. Along the way he is frequently foiled by Danica, a rogue thief with a heart of gold and no loyalties, except to her father, the alchemist Darsoon. Unfortunately Darsoon’s services are required by both guilds and he is watched by the law. With crooked guardsmen shaking down innocent merchants, the city is in a state of chaos. The church is trying to grab the reins of power so that they can clean up Rookhaven, but their methods are less that benevolent. All the while the city is visited by mysterious ambassadors from the east who seem to be gathering information for the inevitable invasion and conquest of Rookhaven, a city-state with little or no military power, as it has been cut off from the empire for some time. Thus the Baroness, ruler of the city, recognizes the strength inherent in the guilds and so tries to buy their loyalty and secure them against a common foe. This angers the church, which begins its attacks and undermining of the government. Having become close with Danica, her father and other innocents within the festering city, Ari begins to question his role and profession. The seedier elements lose their trust in him and he is outcast. Luckily, he is able to ally with other outcast lawmen and his brother, the priest. Together, the small band set out to save the city from itself as well as foreign invaders. Delving into the hidden vaults of the church, guilds and palace, they find secrets and artifacts that help them to bring down the guilds, bringing honest servants back to the church and government. He them assembles those left that are willing and able to fight, all the while fending off insurgents and traitors within the city that are agents of the coming horde. With their backs to the sea, they have but three choices: flee, fight or surrender. Some flee, some surrender, but Ari isnt about to give up the city he worked so hard to rebuild. As he and his small band face down a barbarian force a hundred times the size of his, the mysterious ambassador that he has befriended comes to the aid of the city at the head of an army twice the size of the barbarians. Rookhaven is saved and annexed by the benevolent neighboring empire.