The Wordsmiths and the Warguild

The second novel in Hugh Cook's acclaimed ten‑book epic, The Chronicles of an Age of Darkness - the sequel to The Wizards and the Warriors.Togura Poulaan never wanted to be a hero - but when two rival factions drag him into a war of wizards, wordsmiths, and political schemers, he has no choice. To save the woman he loves, he must unlock the odex: a magical treasure whose key has been hidden."Thanks to the wizard of Drum," said the Brother, "we know where to find these boxes. The nearest is in the bottom of a green bottle in Prince Comedo's Castle Vaunting in Estar. A monster protects the bottle from those who would acquire it.""Charming," murmured Togura.Besides, if he did not find the index, the key to the magical treasure chest known as the odex, he would never be able to claim his love from its mysterious depths.Also previously published as The Questing Hero and The Hero's Return. Hugh Cook is the author of The Chronicles of an Age of Darkness, a ten-volume cult fantasy saga praised for its fierce originality, dark humor, and wildly inventive world-building. Blending epic adventure with biting satire, his work spans orks to ogres, wizards to pirates, magical bottles to wandering mountains. Cook's novels are known for their rich characters, interconnected stories, and fearless imagination - earning acclaim from authors such as China Miéville and Adrian Tchaikovsky.