The Flamebearer(a Prelude to The Jeweler's Secret)Before faith built an empire and Flame became war, there was one man who carried only a lantern against the dark.Valen, a disciple of The Ember Codex, is sent to the remote village of Ashford, where fire is feared and an ancient darkness stirs beneath the volcanic badlands. The villagers do not see the Shadow as an enemy but as balance, an ever-present force that tempers flame. Yet Valen knows the truth. The Shadow whispers in the hearts of men, feeding on their fear, promising power, peace, or escape in return for surrender.As the land trembles and the darkness coils around the village, Valen's faith is tested. When a boy, drawn to his message, takes reckless action in the name of the light, trust shatters, and the Shadow grows stronger. Abandoned and teetering on the edge of despair, Valen must decide whether to let the flame die, or find a way to rekindle it.The Flamebearer is a tale of how one man's light became legend, and how even the purest flame can cast a dangerous glow.