in a city powered by ancient magic, cobbler maltric tulley has created something revolutionary: shoes that let people run faster than the wind. with his brilliant wife, liria, at his side, he dreams of transforming their humble shop into an empire. but in the shadows of vincintus, ambition comes at a deadly price. when maltric borrows gold from the city's most ruthless banker to fund his invention, he unknowingly sets off a chain of betrayals that will cost him everything. his best friend turns traitor. merchants are being murdered. and someone is hunting for the mysterious artifact that makes maltric's miracle shoes possible. now, with his shop on the brink of ruin and prison bars looming, maltric must decide what matters more: success at any cost, or the loyalty of those closest to him. but in a city where even friendship can be bought and sold, trust may be the deadliest gamble of all.