The Illusionists — J. Lawrence Davis

Cloaks, the masters of magic, distinguished by the colors of their cloaks. The Reds, who draw through emotions; the Illusionists, who draw through knowledge; the Directs, who draw straight from magic; the Thasos, who draw through plants and animals; the Healers, who draw through human beings; and the Royals, who rule the kingdoms of Mantau. All cloaks, divided by their philosophies, must work together as a new threat emerges.

Kylis Lawson has returned from his mission to Tergoha to find the war with Fuerza brewing on another front. King James of Rhinia has learned that the Fuerzans are trying to turn Rhinia's allies to the west against him and his kingdom. Kylis and his team join the king's diplomat to Wen Hadich to help keep the old Rhinian ally aligned with them.

Wen Hadich is the trading capital of the continent, and for Rhinia, it is the greatest supplier of raw materials and resources to fund the upcoming war. Rhinia cannot lose this key ally. For Kylis and his team, they journey through the Gray Cloak village of Melgina, traverse the wealthy streets of Wen Hadich's capital, Castle Addison, and learn of the important similarities between King Milek of Wen Hadich and King James.

But the Fuerzans are already close to making a deal with King Milek, and Kylis and his team must work fast to expose the deception they are so sure the Fuerzan Illusionist is using to get his way. As he meets with King Milek and dodges a cloak mercenary out to prevent his team from learning the truth, will Kylis discover the truth or will Fuerza gain a new ally and turn the tide of the impending war before it begins?