History is but a shadow of the truth.
A jaded thief and an idealistic archaeologist form an unlikely partnership to solve an ancient mystery. Opposed at every turn by unknown forces, their journey takes them across 1880s Egypt in search of a lost temple to the other side of the universe, where magic is all too real.
Being a foreigner’s bastard, Louisa learned early to take from the world before it took from her. Like a whisper in the sands of time, a stolen letter hints at the unimaginable:
In the wake of Alexander the Great’s death, his empire fractured. Fighting over his remains, armies of pretenders to his legacy maneuvered within the parched plains and canyons of the Egyptian Sinai. Elements of those armies vanish, leaving a mysterious footnote to history—a footnote that sends Louisa to Egypt seeking answers and treasure.
Archaeologist Dr. Benjamin McGehee is facing new beginnings. Consumed with preparing for his first Egyptian excavation and raising Abu, a recently orphaned teenager, Ben never expected the enigma that is Louisa Sophia.
Joined on their quest by cavalrymen from the 13th Bengal Lancers, Ben and Louisa discover the impossible. A mystical artifact that transports them to the fabled Field of Reeds from Egyptian lore.
Caught in the middle of a war and hunted for their unique knowledge, the desperate Earthlings confront a world where magic is common and alien races coexist alongside dwarves, elves, and humans. All of which are descended from Earth’s ancient civilizations. Ben and Louisa must race to unlock the secrets of a long-vanished alien race or face the Lamentations.
Can they survive long enough to find a way home?