In the magical land of Halruaa, an unassuming counselor discovers he has more power—and a destiny far greater—than he ever imagined
 
Some are born with magic, and some are born without . . . Matteo, un-magical counselor to the mighty wizards of Halruaa, has devoted his life to the truth—until he finds that he may have a hidden spark of magic after all. Now, with only a street waif for a companion, he's on the run from the mysterious Cabal. In the dismal Swamp of Akhlaur, Matteo will seek his own truth while battling a creature out of his nightmares.
But something even worse is on his trail, a relentless persecutor of magic: The Magehound.