<p>In an alternate Renaissance Italy where the church regulates magic and licenses magicians fiery Fiametta Beneforte wants to be more than her goldsmith-mage father's unpaid apprentice. But when the Duchy of Montefoglia is laid under military and magical siege she unexpectedly must join with Thur Ochs a young Swiss miner and foundryman to tap their skills in both metalwork and necromancy to rescue her father's soul and combat an evil sorcerer.</p>