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 shook his head. “Twelve leagues high, at least. The thorns can pierce the toughest leather soles and are so sharp, they slice anything on contact. You can get cut just standing by them—I’ve seen it happen.”


The Baret thought a moment, then asked, “Well, if you can’t go through it and you can’t go over it, how about going under it?”


The outlaw pointed to the ground. Here and there the black sand was piled up away from the thorns, as if someone had been digging, trying to tunnel under the wall. “Doesn’t work. The roots are in too deep, and so are we, if you want my opinion.”


“We didn’t ask for it,” Shaela replied. There had to be a way through the wall before them. They hadn’t traveled this far, losing three friends in the process, only to be thwarted by a thicket of tenacious thorns.


She glanced at her sister. Jaelin was toying nervously with the Stones around her neck. Something clicked. “I have it!” Shaela cried, and pulled off the necklaces she wore.


Chapter 72