Nothing in the Mist - E. S. Barrison

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Résumé :
Jiang left home with nothing but his name... Only to find himself in a glass of wine. As a child, Jiang M?n believed he would follow in the footsteps of his father and lead the S?ch?u Sh?y?u Army. Yet after being rejected for reasons outside of his control, Jiang is forced to leave home in shame. With nowhere to go and nothing but his name, Jiang travels to the city of Tencauri and takes refuge in a gambling house. Jiang impresses the owner with his palette for wine and is offered an apprenticeship. The mere idea of abandoning his military background, though, leaves an emptiness in his soul. Who is he? Where does he belong? And what does he protect? He drowns himself in the wine, only to resurface with a love for the owner's daughter, Kikyo. While planning his future, Jiang's talents attract the attention of the powerful sorcerer Odo Othar and his betrothed, Solana. Something strange is afoot as the sorcerer prepares for his wedding, and it threatens to lead Jiang's newfound life with Kikyo into the arms of Death. In this installment of The Story Collector's Almanac, join Jiang as he rediscovers his identity before it is taken away by the Council of Mist Keepers from The Mist Keeper's Apprentice. Rated 14+ for mentions of death, child loss, alcohol, and addiction.