Avempartha

Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, the two thieves-for-hire who work as Riyria, are hired by a destitute young woman to help her isolated village, which is being hit by deadly attacks in the night. Hadrian sets about defending the villagers while Royce is drawn toward the ancient elven tower of Avempartha, where the wizard Esrahaddon has plans of his own.

The creature behind the attacks draws the notice of the Church of Nyphron, which wants to found a new empire and needs the world to believe it has found the Heir of Novron. When the church declares that whoever slays the terror will be emperor, the pair realize far more is at stake than a handful of farms. As the truth comes out, Royce uncovers secrets about Hadrian's past that may end their friendship and break Riyria in two.

Avempartha is the second book of The Riyria Revelations, first published in 2009. Each book is a self-contained adventure, and the story grows the cast to include Princess Arista Essendon.