Luthien's Gamble

A national bestseller, The Sword of Bedwyr solidified R.A. Salvatore’s acclaim as the fastest-rising star in adventure fantasy. In it, the young noble Luthien Bedwyr became the magical warrior-thief, the Crimson Shadow, to fight the evil Duke of Montfort. Now the Crimson Shadow returns, and the battle to free Eriador begins…The fortress city of Montfort has been liberated and restored to its true name, Caer MacDonald, but for how long? Luthien Bedwyr and his comrades—the irrepressible “highwayhalfling” Oliver deBurrows, the beautiful rebel Katerin O’Hale, the fearless half-elf Siobhan, and the dwarf leader Shuglin—have no time to celebrate. The humans, elves, and dwarfs of their peasant revolution have captured a city. Their nemesis, the demonic Wizard-King Greensparrow, has conquered most of the world.To quell the “minor riot” Greensparrow sends the smallest division of his Praetorian Guard. The eleven thousand killer cyclopian warriors vastly outnumber the defenders of Caer MacDonald.Against such impossible odds, Luthien’s only advantage lies in Eriador’s harsh winter; his only chance lies in rousing the fierce tribes of Eriador’s wild countryside to his cause; and his only hope lies in finding the mysterious mage who once helped Luthien recover the legendary sword and cape of the Crimson Shadow.Yet even the blessings of weather, allies, and ancient magic may not be enough. For if Caer MacDonald’s defenders best the king’s army, the victory will unleash a hellish demon. One poised to strike down the woman the Crimson Shadow loves, a monster with an unquenchable need to irrevocably defeat… Luthien’s gamble.