Fantasy at its most enchanting: An original and absorbing tale from a master storyteller about the profound effects of a single life on the battle against ultimate evil It is Midsummer Day, the beginning of the year 700, in the city of Benign. All the children born in the year 684 celebrate their joint sixteenth birthday by passing in front of the statue of the blind goddess Caprice—but only one will become the Chosen and join the Seventy who govern and guide the city. Much to her surprise, Irona Matrinko, one of the many children of an impoverished fisherman, is chosen. Irona 700 moves into the palace and, with the help of a new mentor, recognizes and cultivates her great talent for guiding wars: strategy and tactics, leadership and inspiration. As Irona gives her life to the city, an ancient enemy, Maleficence, attacks again and again, corrupting Irona’s friends, destroying her lover, and continually defeating her grandest plans for peace and harmony. Along the way, Irona becomes a masterful politician, a shrewd judge of character, and, even at great cost to her personal happiness, a true heroine.

First published in 1893, The Art of Casting in Iron has since made its mark in the field of blacksmithing, offering handymen everything they need to know to make appliances, chains, and statues and repair broken castings the old-fashioned way. From founding statues and the art of taking casts to pattern modeling and sectional molding, this practical guidebook provides all of the need-to-know basics and more. Included in this book is information on: • The measurement of castings • Pouring and feeding • Gear molding machines • Foundry equipment and appliances • Mixing cast iron • Burning, chilling, and softening • And much more! With simple, easy-to-understand instructions and detailed formulas, tables, and illustrations, The Art of Casting in Iron guides the reader step-by-step through the iron casting process, making it the perfect companion for novice metal founders and industry professionals alike.