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

“The first rule out here—don’t run. Calm down. There are five men here, and I only heard three monkeybirds. How bad can it be?”


Then the trees exploded with dozens of monkeybirds. They were ugly but graceful, swinging through the trees and the air to reach the travelers. An almost burned color, they were black with long arms and tails, and giant, sail-like wings that stirred the hot air.


“Only three!” Shaela cried, taking Kitt off Airk’s shoulders and ducking down into the quicksand as low as she dared. “Remind me to teach you how to count someday.”


He flashed her a grin as he sliced at a monkeybird swooping down on them. Its screech rent the air as it fell to the quicksand. Its struggle was intense but brief, and Shaela watched in dreadful fascination as the quicksand swallowed the creature whole.


“How long will this last?” she shouted.


The outlaw shrugged, knocking another out of the sky. “Until they die or run away.”


Chapter 65