The Roots of Betrayal

The Arcist Chronicles #2

by Daniel Ausema

Terrorists attack the Princes, Outcasts build a new city, and the mage Pavresh discovers that Arcist Magic is more powerful than ever imagined.

Pavresh spent the last 5 years exploring the mountains around the Eghsal Valley, seeking to expand Arcist magic by incorporating the foreign traditions of the mountain tribes. But he discovers these barbarian tribes might be more deeply connected to his own people than the official histories admit.

Now news from home has him hurrying back to the A mysterious, violent group called the Sons of Ryo are terrorizing the cities. The ruling Princes are under threat, and his friends are losing the only shelter they have.

What is this mysterious group, and who is pulling their strings? Who is the man claiming to have crossed the impenetrable mountains from the Forgotten South? Can Pavresh use new more powerful magic to protect his friends' new home, or will the cost be too great?



This sequel to The Silk Betrayal continues the fantasy saga featuring interesting worldbuilding with an Asian flavour and subtle but powerful magics.

491 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2022

About the author

Daniel Ausema grew up in West Michigan, surrounded by orchards, hay fields, glacial lakes, and stands of oak and maple trees. He earned his BA in English Literature and Spanish in 2000. After working in experiential and alternative education for a while, he moved to Colorado with his family and settled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. He is now a stay-at-home father. His fiction and poetry have appeared in dozens of publications.