Before anyone could react, a dozen fireballs slammed into the group assembled around Master Khatama’s wagon. Three dwarves that had been standing guard near the edge of the clearing were struck first. Their flaming bodies were tossed to the ground as the fireballs struck. One fireball struck the log that Bin-lu was balancing on. He leaped into the air, his feet ablaze and his arms stretched out before him. Another fireball slammed into Bin-lu’s hands as the young Lanoirian fell to the ground screaming. Arik flew backwards as two fireballs hurtled into his chest. The rest of the streaming projectiles soared through the campsite without hitting anyone, although they had clearly been aimed at the Prince of Alcea.

Alex immediately drew his sword and moved to stand in front of Arik’s body as he gazed up at a small plateau. He saw over a dozen dark shapes sitting on their horses preparing to throw more fireballs. Scores of Dark Riders were heading down from the plateau in two streams.

“Sarac’s Ravens,” shouted Alex.

“I have the shields,” yelled Fredrik as he swiftly erected a magical barrier over the group.

“Trembling Ground,” added Jenneva as she jumped to her feet and swiftly cast a spell.

The ground beneath her feet began to rumble as it started to undulate. The ground rippled into a wave that began to flow towards the attackers. The wave grew in intensity as it moved away from the Rangers.

“Wind,” Tanya said softly as she stepped next to Jenneva and cast her spell.

The branches of the trees began to shake as Tanya gathered the air about her. Small pebbles rose off of the ground and were suspended in the air. Tanya released the air and sent it hurtling towards Sarac’s Ravens. It sped over Jenneva’s ground swell.

Niki scowled as she looked at Arik’s body on the ground. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she gazed at the dark forms on the distance ledge. She reached out to the collective minds of the horses that the attackers were riding. She ordered them to flee.

Master Khatama moved swiftly to the rear of the campsite. When he was behind the Rangers and the dwarves, his hands shot skyward. He closed his eyes tightly as brilliant flashes of light streaked skyward from his hands. The light was so intense that the whole mountainside glowed as if the sun illuminated it.

Prince Darok ordered his dwarves to attack as he bent down and smothered the flames engulfing Bin-lu’s boots. All of that happened as the second set of fireballs was being sent towards the campsite. Fredrik shuddered as the flaming projectiles slammed into his shield.

The brilliant light sent skyward by Master Khatama blinded the attackers only seconds before Tanya’s wind tore into them. The horses panicked as the wind and the light struck. The animals heeded Niki’s command and tried to turn around. When Jenneva’s wave hit, horses and riders went flying.

Confusion and terror gripped the Black Devils and the Dark Riders. Fearful horses surged back up the trails and away from the campsite. Some Dark Riders were thrown from their mounts, while others blindly clung on to the stampeding horses. The dwarves raced across the open land and pounced upon the Dark Riders who had been left behind. In seconds, it was all over.

“Keep the shield in place, Fredrik,” commanded Boris as his brilliant display of light faded away. “Let’s tend to the wounded before Sarac’s minions decide to return.”

“My people will need no tending,” Prince Darok reported sadly as he knelt next to the bodies of the three dwarves who had been struck down. “They are dead.”

"Spine tingling read … Highly Recommended … 5 stars"

Talented writer Tuttle continues his spell binding Sword of Heaven series with another original segment of the tale. As with others in the series Tuttle includes both a detailed map of the world he has created and a recap of the Sword of Heavens narrative to date.

From the opening lines of Book 5 Emerald of the Elves when a resounding scream brings everyone to alert right down to the last paragraphs when the morning sun breaks across the sky the reader is held captivated. Tuttle continues his story line, subplot convoluted tale with a deftness not often found, transitions are handled with skill keeping the flow of reading smooth and without interruption as the captivated reader is moved from imbroglio to predicament.

By the time the reader is ready to begin Book 5 the characters are old friends. Readers are treated to more of writer Tuttle’s first class exchanges between various players, zestful action and pleasantly puzzling incertitude. Friction in abundance is present, handled with skill and resolved to the satisfaction of the reader. Dialogue between characters is believable, filled with emotion and downright gritty at times. Motivation behind character action is reasonable, acceptable and something the reader can feel themselves capable of accomplishing in a similar circumstance.

Zenith of the narrative was gratifying, the reader can anticipate this particular outcome without quandary or controversy. The Culmination was a natural outcome of the action in this well written tale crafted by a master story-teller.

Excellent book for a weekend home when weather won’t let you get out much, or a week at the beach.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.