To master an ancient magic, Taren must pass through a trial of fire and blood. Two years after recovering an ancient symbol, Taren is no closer to unlocking its secrets. The artifact has wreaked havoc on his magical abilities and filled his mind with terrible visions of fire and death. All he desires is to make peace with it-to live in harmony with the magic that has chosen him as its host. Rumors of a dragon on a faraway isle might be the key to unraveling the symbol's mysteries once and for all. But first he has to get past her guardians, a group of dragon-worshiping sorcerers who place no value on human life. Knowing this isn't a journey he can undertake alone, Taren enlists the help of old friends before setting out to uncover his destiny. The Second Symbol takes place two years after the events depicted in The Third Apprentice. Though the two books feature many of the same characters, they easily can be read as stand-alone novels.