First Light

In a world struggling with political and religious differences, eighteen-year-old Arkrune—"Rune" to his friends—dreams of something greater than the quiet life in his small village of Locke. Trained by his stern but loving father, a renowned blacksmith and former warrior, Rune sets his sights on joining the famous monster fighting guild known as the Vanguard. When Rune embarks on his journey to the city of Hilden to pursue his destiny, he carries with him more than just a finely crafted sword—but also a mystery tied to his bloodline and the dormant power within him. Along the way, Rune forms bonds with battle-hardened warriors, fends off deadly attacks by monsters and men alike, and begins to uncover the hidden strengths he didn't know he possessed. However, life in the Vanguard is anything but simple. As Rune makes space for himself within the guild's ranks, he contends with seasoned warriors and fresh-faced recruits—including the fiery and skeptical Ven or the caring Teryn from his father's homeland—he finds himself at the center of events far greater than he imagined. With monsters stirring in the wilds, bandits behaving strangely, enigmatic beings beyond mortals, and the politics of men far more important than himself coming to blows, Rune discovers that the cost of adventure and being part of the Vanguard is high; possibly even higher than he is willing to pay. First Light is the opening volume in the Tales of the Vanguard: Rune Saga, blending action, heartfelt coming-of-age, and the slow unraveling of ancient truths in a sprawling epic fantasy adventure.