Novels : The Missing Kin

The Missing Kin - Michael Pryor

[Book trailer via YouTube.com]

Cover blurb
While Adalon and his friends,Targesh and Simangee, gather supporters at, the Lost Castle, the mad queen and her ruthless general continue to wage war on the seven kingdoms of Krangor.

It is only when Simangee finds a legend in an ancient text that the rebels begin to hope once more. Do the Missing Kin really exist? Can the three friends find the winged saur and convince them to join their cause before it's too late?'

Michael Pryor says
When planning the series, and then writing The Lost Castle, I had a desire to give each of the three friends their own challenge. The Missing Kin is Targesh's time. I also wanted to explore how three young saur could confront an ambitious queen and her entire army. They need help, but where from?

‘The Missing Kin’ begins
The echoing corridors of the Lost Castle held many surprises. Adalon knew that most were dangerous, some deadly - but the urge to explore overwhelmed such considerations.

In the month since Adalon and his friends had returned to the Lost Castle after saving the villagers of Sleeto, he'd stalked the mysterious halls and chambers, hunting for some clue as to the fate of the long-gone A'ak . Whenever he could find the time, he scanned the passageways and frowned at empty room after empty room, trying to make sense of the castle's enigmatic former inhabitants. Where had the A'ak gone? Why had they disappeared? What sort of saur were they?

Seek to understand, his father had always advised, lest the unknown become your enemy. Adalon knew they could not afford another enemy, not with the power of Queen Tayesha looming against them, so he spent precious sleep time gnawing at the mystery of the A'ak.

Despite the safety the Lost Castle had provided, Adalon felt uneasy about the A'ak, unsettled deep inside himself. At times, he found the place shuddersome, as if the stones had seen unspeakable deeds and were now whispering of them in patient, weary voices.

On this day, he'd almost overlooked the opening to the narrow spiral staircase, concealed as it was by ornamental carving, which was common in this part of the castle. It was only when he happened to swing his lantern that the shadows disappeared enough for him to see the stairs leading downwards.