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

“Guess these people don’t want us commoners taking away the visual appeal of their streets,” said Akton, annoyed. Talfryn grinned at him.


“Their loss. We’re both exceedingly visually appealing. At least, I am.”


Akton gave him a bit of a shove. The sun was going down now, the streets looking even more threatening to him. Pubs were evident around here, and Akton kept his eyes, ears, and nose on alert. He didn’t trust anyplace so busy, not when he wasn’t accustomed to it. He felt like a landed fish here in the mess that was Ylenia.


“We have to go to one of the palace Guard towers,” said Talfryn, pulling out the map book and pointing. “It’s the only way to get through into the palace.”


“Because they’ll really let us in,” said Akton. He didn’t like this plan. It seemed sure to fail, and might get them thrown in a cell again, something he didn’t care to repeat, particularly since he didn’t believe the jail here would be as easy to escape as the one back in Ivels.


Chapter 57