"Those who currently call themselves King and Queen of the Elemaiya can't read those medallions and never knew how to use them properly. I should go." Griffin unfolded his tall frame from the deck chair and stretched. "Be careful." Griffin disappeared.

"Yeah. Sure. Easy for you to say." Ashe lifted the sleeve covering his left arm and gingerly touched the eight gold medallions circling his biceps. At least they weren't as tender against his skin as they'd first been. When they'd first appeared, he could barely stand to touch them, and it was worse if someone else tried.

"Am I supposed to read these things, now, to get back what I lost?" Ashe shook his head in bewilderment. "This just gets worse as it goes along."

Ashe is faced with a weakness in his genetic makeup as he learns of a greater force that is determined to eliminate him or turn him away from his chosen path. Will those around him fall while he makes a dangerous choice?