The Runelords

In a world where power is drawn from others through magical runes, a process known as 'forcible endowments,' David Farland's epic saga begins with "The Runelords." Young Prince Gaborn Val Orden of Mystarria, while traveling in disguise to seek the hand of Princess Iome of Sylvarresta, uncovers a deadly plot. Alongside his formidable warrior bodyguard, Borenson, Gaborn stumbles upon assassins targeting Iome’s father, the King. Their desperate race to warn the monarch quickly escalates into a realization that more than just royalty is at stake; the very fabric of their world is on the brink of collapse. As dark forces stir and the secrets of the Runelords—individuals who accrue immense strength and abilities by drawing endowments from their dedicated thralls—begin to unravel, Gaborn must confront not only political intrigue and personal danger but also the profound moral and physical costs of power, setting the stage for a continent-spanning conflict that could determine the fate of all humanity.