Acenes of Sparta: The Dragon Slayer (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798269432588)

In this second book of the Acenes Codex, Acenes' journey continues into lands scorched by dragon fire, where the stolen weapons of Leonidas prove both salvation and curse. When attacks come in the darkness, the divine spear and shield awaken with terrifying power-and leave him marked, changed, no longer entirely the boy who left Sparta.

At a ruined shrine, he receives a visitation that sears divine purpose into his flesh. The mission transforms: this isn't about one dragon's death, but about legends that outlive those who create them. Yet legends require sacrifices, and the gods rarely ask permission before taking what they're owed.

Hunted by Alcibiades' mercenaries and tracked by a dragon who has caught the scent of his ancient enemy's weapons, Acenes climbs toward the volcanic mountain. Along the way, he encounters those who offer wisdom at terrible prices-lessons about power, control, and the cost of wielding weapons that were never meant for mortal hands.

In the dragon's lair, where gold gleams beside centuries of bones, all paths converge. Alcibiades plays his final hand. Kalaxes unleashes his ancient fury. And one Spartan boy faces the truth: some destinies cannot be escaped, only endured.

Will Acenes master the fate the gods have woven for him? Or will destiny devour him as it has every hero who dared believe they could rewrite their own ending?