The Eight Lands of Pharr are in trouble, and the only ones who can help are a young princess and the sister she believes lost. They hold two of the four Magical Stones, created long ago by an Ancient Mystic to channel the magic of his bloodline. But when an evil witch named Patadora Coggs seeks to control the Stones, the two girls must join forces to save their unsuspecting world. With them is a motley crew gathered as they travel to retrieve the remaining two Stones. Airk Ranon, cynical Weapons Master. The Baret Wray and First Commander Dungan Weir, who command King Randel's army. Elke, a centurion who has never been away from home. Skotak, an Emini Plainsman who provides steeds for the travelers. Dreux, a young prince seeking adventure, and his lover, Estelle. And Kitt, a young orphan held enslaved by pirates. Chased by Patadora's Maelnords and her own shapeshifting daughter, and by the infamous Weapons Master's outlaw reputation, the young friends travel land and sea in their quest to find the last two Stones. Once they have the Magical Stones of Pharr in their possession, they must travel to the witch's lair and end her evil reign of terror.

The Magical Stones of Pharr

Wray nodded again. Fatigue crept into his bones at the thought of the long ride ahead, but the Princess’s life was at stake. He had to go.  4


The rains began the night of Shaela’s capture. She couldn’t see the path ahead as they trudged along—she barely made out the Maelnords on either side of her. Her lightweight clothing grew waterlogged and hung heavy on her body, the skins sticking to her own.


Her legs cramped as night passed into day, and still they continued to walk. The rain lessened, but drizzled steadily. The Maelnords didn’t stop their trek, and Shaela found no relief from the wetness and fatigue.


That night, the rains stopped and the group finally halted for her sake. Shaela struggled weakly when the Maelnords tied her to the base of a tree, but gave up after they left her alone. She dropped into a heavy, dreamless sleep, too fatigued to think. When her captors threw her a hard chunk of stale bread for dinner, she didn’t rouse from her slumber.


Chapter 11