The Bounds of Magic

Sko has no desire to follow in his abusive father's footsteps as a bladesmith. He'd rather be a storyteller, though he has taught himself a bit of magic. He has put up with his father beating him for being weak and useless, but hitting Sko's best friend, Dacey, was too much. Sko strikes back, and has to flee town with Dacey not knowing whether he left his father dead or alive.

Sko discovers that his magic is quite useful, and very different from everyone else's. When they are attacked by highwaymen on the road, he uses his magic to fight them off. For the first time, he has hurt someone with his magic, and it sickens him. Dacey, on the other hand, has no reluctance when it comes to using violence to protect Sko. When a group of young mages invite him into their new unified magic guild, he realizes he could change the way magic is taught and practiced. As he works with them, he and Dacey realize their lifelong friendship is blossoming into much more.

Joining the journeymen sets Sko on a collision course with Morana, the most powerful necromancer in history. When she discovers the new guild, she realizes it would interfere with her plans to take control of all six existing magic guilds. She strikes, forcing Sko and Dacey go into hiding. Are his lofty goals in magic worth it, or would he be happier marrying Dacey and going back to his childhood dream of being a storyteller?