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

Shocked, he stammered, “Morning? It’s afternoon!”


“I’m perfectly fine,” Shaela argued. “We can leave now.”


Airk scowled. “You can’t travel, not after all you’ve been through. Tell the others to unpack; we’re staying here.”


The others stood around the extinguished fire, packs slung over their shoulders, waiting for the outlaw to take the lead once more. Shaela and Airk stood a ways off, arguing.


“I really don’t think you’re ready to travel,” Airk insisted. “What you need is rest—”


“What  youneed is rest,” she replied, hefting first her pack and then his over her shoulder. “We need to get moving.”


She started down the path, the others following uncertainly.


“Wait!” Running after her, Airk grabbed her shoulders to make her stop. “The last time we were separated, you were almost killed. That won’t happen again, not on my watch. Let me come with you.”


She smiled. “Who said you couldn’t?”


Chapter 71