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A junior mage and his mercenary stumble into the epic crossfire of a 5,000-year conflict in a world driven by wizards, gods, and an imperial space marine 20,000 years into our future. Fame-hungry female mercenary Ticca is willing to skirt the edges of her warrior's code if it brings her the fame she desires. Her hopes of making a name for herself by spying on assassins are dashed when she's forced to kill the assassin she was hired to watch. Lebuin is a rich journeyman mage who's just discovered his new rank involves actual journeying. He hires Ticca to help him advance to master and return to a life of comfort as quickly as possible. He's willing to spend all he has to make it happen, but the mage and his mercenary get much more than they bargained for. Trapped in the crossfire of a vast power game, Ticca and Lebuin must survive a battle between rulers, guilds, and gods. Comparable works include Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov, Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold, Lord of Light by Roger Zelazney, The Warlock of Rhada by Robert Cham Gilman, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo