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

Airk walked behind the guide, Kitt and Shaela behind him, and the others fell into place. Dagger in hand, Airk came alive in a way Shaela hadn’t seen before—he was one with the forest, distinguishing every sound or movement, no matter how minuscule. She herself probably heard things the others didn’t; living in the forest taught a lot of lessons. But he was overtly careful, and she took her cue from him.


Despite the shade from the trees, the marsh was humid, unbearably hot, and too quiet. There were no singing birds, no creatures at all except the occasional mosquito, roughly the size of a butterfly. The first time one of the bloodsuckers landed on Airk’s back, Kitt cried out and Shaela swatted the huge bug with her hand. Instead of dying, the mosquito flew off, weaving, as if trying to shake off the hit.


Chapter 64