When they hanged mage Baron Homburg and his family for treason, they missed one of his sons. The fourth son, ten-year-old Dale, witnessed the execution of his family, and something inside him broke. Two things happened that day: one, Dale became a borderline sociopath, and two, his mage abilities manifested at almost full strength, especially his wood or forest magic. That night he used his new wood magic to hang the earl who ordered the killing of his family.

Now he has only one thing on his mind, killing all those involved in killing his family or seeing them brought to justice. But he also wants the inheritance of his father’s title and lands. The only person who can give him that is the king, so he must petition the king for restitution.

Before he can petition the king, he finds out that the king plans to kill him. Because if the kingdom finds out who’s responsible for the murder of the Homburg family, the minor nobles and landowners would revolt against the crown screaming for justice. Those guilty are the king’s greatest supporters, which he would have to hang. The king cannot allow that to happen.

Seeing that the nobility is against him, Dale goes into hiding and changes his name to Eric Heartwood. Eric begins killing his enemies rather than negotiating a peaceful settlement. Eric decides that since nobility doesn’t play by the rules or laws, neither will he.

But Eric has a lot to learn about people and their motives. It seems almost everyone will lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get ahead in the world. So Eric follows suit, killing those who oppose him, until he meets a kindly merchant and his wife. They show him kindness, which tempers his blood lust, but not by much.

Follow mage Eric Heartwood as his powers grow and he is confronted by enemies at every turn. He tries to reconcile what he feels is just and what society says is just. He finds that most times, it’s just easier to kill your enemies.