Fraa Erasmas is a
young avout living in the Concent of Saunt Edhar, a sanctuary for
mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers, protected from the
corrupting influences of the outside "saecular" world by ancient stone,
honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and
governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three
times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and
ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community.
Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe,
becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on
technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside
-- the Extramuros -- for the last of the terrible times was long, long
ago.
Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite
of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent's
gates -- at the same time opening them wide to welcome the curious
"extras" in. During his first Apert as a fraa, Erasmas eagerly
anticipates reconnecting with the landmarks and family he hasn't seen
since he was "collected." But before the week is out, both the existence
he abandoned and the one he embraced will stand poised on the brink of
cataclysmic change.
Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the
peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the
Extramuros -- a threat that only an unsteady alliance of saecular and
avout can oppose -- as, one by one, Erasmas and his colleagues,
teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent
in hopes of warding off global disaster. Suddenly burdened with a
staggering responsibility, Erasmas finds himself a major player in a
drama that will determine the future of his world -- as he sets out on
an extraordinary odyssey that will carry him to the most dangerous,
inhospitable corners of the planet . . . and beyond.
Description:
Fraa Erasmas is a young avout living in the Concent of Saunt Edhar, a sanctuary for mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers, protected from the corrupting influences of the outside "saecular" world by ancient stone, honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community. Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe, becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside -- the Extramuros -- for the last of the terrible times was long, long ago.
Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent's gates -- at the same time opening them wide to welcome the curious "extras" in. During his first Apert as a fraa, Erasmas eagerly anticipates reconnecting with the landmarks and family he hasn't seen since he was "collected." But before the week is out, both the existence he abandoned and the one he embraced will stand poised on the brink of cataclysmic change.
Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the Extramuros -- a threat that only an unsteady alliance of saecular and avout can oppose -- as, one by one, Erasmas and his colleagues, teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent in hopes of warding off global disaster. Suddenly burdened with a staggering responsibility, Erasmas finds himself a major player in a drama that will determine the future of his world -- as he sets out on an extraordinary odyssey that will carry him to the most dangerous, inhospitable corners of the planet . . . and beyond.