Robert Hopkins

The kingdom is threatened. Who or what is ravaging the great forests is unknown. One thing is known. The beasts come from the great mountains in the north; slaughtering everything in their way. Rito Thelin is the second son of the King, who has little time for him. Rito has failed to find his brother, Gallan, lost in the northern woods. Rito is sent out with only one retainer, Quirin, to try again. It is a hopeless task, his death all but assured. He carries one weapon. An ancient sword, named Fury. Nobody can read its ancient runes. If only Rito could. On his journey he will meet Maesa, a young untested sorcerer. Maesa's spells are prone to error with many an unforeseen consequence. She thinks it's in the finger twiddles. Rito and Quirin will learn to stand back, with cowering an option. Maesa carries a terrible secret. A stolen spell of such great power it can never be used. Fortunately, she doesn't know how to use it - yet. Travelling from the west is Wen, an ancient sage, tired of existing beyond his time. He has sensed the evil in the north and is content to find and confront the dangers ahead. Much to his surprise he encounters one of the last wood-elves travelling through the great forests. The elf will fight to her last protecting the trees she loves. Thessalia is her name; as arrogant a being as Wen has ever met. If she ever finds out what secret Wen holds, things might change. Dramatically, and with it her arrogance. They do, and don't. Two men appear from the western trails. To say they are different in every way possible would be to stretch the meaning of 'different.' Tellen is a retired soldier of great experience wanting a quiet life. His companion is a haystack in human form, or so it appears. A giant of a man with phenomenal strength. They compliment each other perfectly. What can go wrong? Unknown to Tellen, Totle has rescued the deadliest predator in the land. A huge animal that somehow moves with silence and speed through the surrounding forests. It has no natural enemies, none at all. But unnatural? These three parties are fated to meet. They must blend together to form a band capable of facing down all dangers. All seems well enough until they find Suneth. A young lost child who needs rescuing. Suneth is sweet and innocent and happily accepted by the travellers. But she is in need of protection at a time when protecting themselves will be hard enough. One of them has seen Suneth dancing in the woods, surrounded by swarms of adoring butterflies. Why? Remains unanswered. None are what they seem. Increasing horrors descend from the north. Some of the travellers may not survive. Why should one of them wish to kill another member of the group, at a time when every living soul is needed? The group will finally reach their final battle. They are asked to do the impossible. Turn around, go home would be the best advice to give. Not for Rito, emerging as their natural leader. But who will follow him?

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