From the authors of the Time Shards series, Tarou: The Fall is an epic fantasy of an empire on the edge.Swords, Wands, Cups, and Coins. Emperor and Empress, High Priestess and Hierophant. Light and Dark. Life and Death. The evocative symbolism and arcana bound up within the cards of the tarot have fascinated seekers for centuries. Now Tarou: The Fall imagines the reality that inspired the mystical--the real fantasy world of which all our rich tarot imagery is but a shadow.The magnificent empire of Tarou is a panoply of dreams and wonder, the envy of the world. Its ships rule the seas and air, its magics and science bring forth new learning, and its tutelary gods smile upon all the many peoples and cultures of its shining lands. But even now, at the peak of its glory, the highest religious leaders of Tarou secretly dream of even greater power--enough to wrest the empire from its rightful rulers.Alia is a warrior without equal, but even a captain as great as she must bow to the demands of duty. With her arranged marriage only weeks away, she, her betrothed, and their escort undertake the journey to the empire's capital--but unexpected hazards lie in wait.Magpie is a petty thief and con artist, hoping to score big during the Imperial Festival--though his timing could not be worse.However, none of them are prepared when a forbidden magical experiment goes wrong, unleashing an apocalypse that engulfs the city. Before their paths converge, they all must face a cataclysm unlike any the world has ever seen ...