Sorcery Rising — Jude Fisher

A MAGICAL AWAKENING

Katla Aransen has come to her first Allfair where many of the diverse peoples of Elda gather to trade and interact. Even the location of the Allfair, the Moonfell Plain, is a place out of legend--home to a sacred but contested mount. The Eyrans call it Sur's Castle, and believe that their god views both men and women as equals and welcomes both onto his holy ground. But the Istrians call it Falla's Rock, and believe that for any female other than their goddess to set foot there is a capital offense.

Katla, though still young, has come to the Allfair not merely to enjoy herself, but to ply her trade. She is the greatest blade-forger in all of Eyra, and she is also an accomplished rock climber. For she has an inborn magical affinity with the natural elements of the earth--stone and metal--which imbue both her trade and her hobby with preternatural skill.

Proud to the point of arrogance, rebelliously willful and strong-minded, yet naive about the religious fanaticism of the Istrians, Katla secretly climbs the holy mount. Unfortunately, her "sacrilege" is witnessed by Istrian elders, who swear to catch this blasphemous young woman and put her to death.

But far more dangerous events are afoot at the Allfair. For the caravans of the Footloose--magical nomads--shelter a mysterious albino man who has kidnapped two sorcerous entities: an unimaginably beautiful woman with no memory who inspires unquenchable lust in any man who sees her, and a black cat within whom is hidden many of the world's greatest magical secrets. And before the Allfair is over, forces will be set in motion which will threaten every country, every people, and perhaps change the entire face of Elda forever.