Nyphron Rising

Nyphron Rising is the third novel in Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations, first self-published by Ridan Publishing in 2009 and later collected with The Emerald Storm in the Orbit omnibus Rise of Empire.

War has come to Melengar. As the newly crowned empire grows into a formidable power, Princess Arista defies her brother, King Alric, and hires the thieves Royce and Hadrian for a dangerous mission behind enemy lines: to reach the leader of the Nationalists to the south and win his support.

The Riyria partnership is fraying. Hadrian is tired of his trade and longs for a just cause, and Royce knows a secret that could give his partner a purpose, if it is true. Royce also suspects that the ancient wizard Esrahaddon is using the pair as pawns in his own game, and the journey takes the thieves into Hadrian's past.