The Lost King

His terror made him press back against the wall ...The wall gave way and he fell backwards. He fell into silky, sucking-down choking powder. He was sinking into the slippery stuff, choking and fighting for air. The Slave City of Khul, a proud Kingdom founded by slaves, is invaded. The Slave King and his family slaughtered and resistance brutally suppressed. The former slaves are slaves once more. The slaves whisper a name that has not been heard or repeated since the City fell. Avtar. Avtar is their king. Thirteen year-old Watt is a Ghosty Boy, so called for the flour-covered uniform of The Baker's apprentices, and works in the ancient fortress of Slave City, a far- flung outreach of Empire. When Watt gets stuck cleaning the Baker's chimney, he falls into a labyrinth of corridors where he finds his sister, Melior, and his life is turned upside down. All Watt wants to do is survive, but Melior dreams of a life outside the City. 'Melior', he emphasized, 'I'm a Ghosty Boy. Khul has no king.' Melior leant down and put her hand on his head, saying fiercely, 'I'll see you crowned if it kills me!'