fugazi-book

Rhoden has been feared his entire life. As a young child, his skin turned black, the mark of the ancient and now-extinct Shadows. Centuries ago, the Shadows were eradicated for their evil doings by the mythical Sun King, but many believe Rhoden''''s very existence portends the Shadows'''' return. Though he is by birth a royal prince of the kingdom of Aleria, Rhoden has spent his life among the gentle and quiet scholars of faraway Tellegar College, raised by them and his stern uncle. He visits the royal palace once a year, and is content to remain far away from the scrutiny of the common people. His life is fueled by the desire to understand two crucial questions: what happened to him, and why? Is he somehow connected to the Shadows, or is his condition just a coincidence? After years of study, he feels he is finally on the cusp of an answer.