Ambush in the Woods

Captain Jisten is embroiled in conflict against an invading army of shapechangers who want nothing more than to reduce the kingdom to the wilderness it was carved from. Baby Rasten has been stolen from his cradle, but S’Tyll and Pikara are in close pursuit. High Priest S’Rak has been betrayed by a false friend and captured by one of the few people he can’t stand. Okyran diplomats have arrived in Summertown and are threatening death and destruction if the Koilathans don’t come to their senses immediately. The Kephi priest Pajel, meanwhile, is being seduced by the very temple he’s supposed to be spying on. In the darkness of the woods, is there any hope remaining?