Generations ago, shifters -- many with magic powers -- were accepted throughout Emylnor. But a war with the nearby dragon nation bred concern, and though Emylnor's forces beat back the invasion, the shifters retreated into hiding.<br><br>Akton is a weasel shifter who seems to have no magical talents. When he is hunted, Talfryn joins the fight, finally able to flex his salamander flame powers. But while they make a good team, the thrill quickly wears off when they uncover recruitment orders. A shifter named Basil is building an army.<br><br>Someone has to warn Queen Ylenia before Basil can launch Emylnor into another war. When Akton and Talfryn volunteer to deliver the information to her, they have no intention of getting deeply involved with the fight -- or each other. But to stop Basil, they need to learn to trust each other completely, and fast. Or all of Emylnor will burn ...

Flame and Snow

Talfryn’s stomach rumbled. His feet ached. He wanted to rest.


“I’d read about those lean-tos, but I didn’t know that they were any out here,” he said, thinking he could annoy Akton into stopping. “Hundreds of years ago Queen Ylenia had them built along intervals on every major road, shelter for travelers to rest out of the elements. The ones closer to the Queen’s City are said to be of excellent quality and can sleep several traveling groups.”


“This was to promote travel and trade, of course. If it’s safer and easier to travel, then more people will do it. Where there’s travel and trade, there’s wealth. The queen’s terribly smart—all the major cities are thriving. I doubt she ordered any of the structures we passed to be built, though. I wonder whether there’s a library in Ivels I could do research at for that.”


Akton sped his pace, but Talfryn kept up with him.


Chapter 15