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 hugged Shaela back against him as Bhira passed. Once on the bridge, Bhira pulled out a weathered pouch of her own and held it aloft. “I brought you the Stones,” she murmured. She opened her pouch and bent down to caress the single black Stone.


Then Airk noticed something odd about the crying girl. Her eyes were dry, and as she touched the black Stone, they shone with greed.


Before he could react, she tucked the Stone into her pouch with the four fakes.


“No!” Shaela cried, slipping from his grip and hurrying to stop her.


Airk raced after her. When Bhira turned, she swung out her good arm and pushed Shaela aside. Shaela skidded to the edge of the bridge and, for one heart-stopping moment, tottered on the brink of the pit below. “Airk!”


He was already there. In one fluid movement, he caught her around the waist before she could fall, then turned with his sword raised to fend of Bhira’s attack.


There was none. Bhira was gone, the black Stone with her.


Chapter 80