The Glimnodd Cycle

Pirates, sorcerers, and witches battle for an ancient magical treasure. Amlina the witch has fled the city of the tyrant Archimage of the East. She plans to return the fabled Cloak of the Two Winds to its rightful owners. But Amlina’s ship is waylaid by barbarian pirates at the South Polar Sea. Lonn the Iruk skipper has led his boat away from the hunt after dreaming of fabulous treasure. When his crew captures the witch’s ship, they get more than they bargained for. After carrying off her possessions, they are robbed in turn. Worse, one of their crew is taken.

In the remote North, Amlina, the witch and her Iruk warriors have found refuge. But with winter’s end, Amlina must choose: Return to her homeland, or arm herself with forbidden sorcery and face her great enemy, Beryl, one last time. The Iruk Glyssa also must choose. Will she risk the dangers of magical initiation for a chance to heal her wounded soul? On the far side of the world, Beryl is recovering from her own wounds - by consuming more and more human blood. Once healed, she plans a grisly revenge on Amlina and the Iruks. 

Amlina has recovered the stolen Cloak of the Two Winds. But victory came at a terrible cost: The forbidden sorcery she invoked left a stain on her soul - a shadow that threatens to drive her to madness. Eben the Iruk pirate is squandering his loot on a life of ease and too much drinking. When a bee-winged lady discovers him passed out in an alley, Eben is called to a new quest.