AustLit

'A choice between life or death...

'Kushlan Silvertongue has been commissioned to write the Tales of the First Comers, Tales of Argenterra.

'This novella is the story of Vorn and the First Comers and their journey from violence and death to the beautiful magical land of Argenterra, the Silverland.

'Mighty warrior, Vorn, leads the survivors to a new land and sets in motion a civilisation that lasts for over one thousand years.

'Discover the origins of the given magic and how the first comers made the oaths that secured that magic forever.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Every one hundred years a woman comes to Argenterra through the Crystal Tree Woods. This time two women came…

'While on a ghost tour in Castle Crioch, Sophy and her best friend and foster sister, Aria, are sucked into the world of Argenterra, where they encounter a strange Crystal Tree. Two leaves fall from it, one of which Aria catches and the other mysteriously delves into Sophy’s chest.

'Met by Dellbright, the prince of Valley Keep, and Oakheart, the high king’s ambassador, the girls learn they are expected. Aria has beauty and talent with the given, the land’s native magic. She finds a home and a husband in Prince Dellbright and is revered as the legendary Gift of Crystal Tree Woods.

Sophy is out of place as anything made with the given makes her ill.

'Sophy accompanies Oakheart to the capital to find out why the crystal leaf is in her chest. A sinister force is tracking her—trying to snatch her away or kill her. Only Oakheart suspects her importance: she is the talisman that can cause great harm to the world of Argenterra if she falls into the wrong hands.' (Publication summary)

'We have some time before the Ancient Evil can reach into Argenterra. We are not the Ungiven Land yet…

'Sophy lies trapped within Rufus’s jewelled prison. Protected by her oathbond to Oakheart Rufus cannot touch her, but her crystal form is draining Argenterra of the given. Oakheart has to leave Sophy behind because he is bound by his promise to return Gillcress to Princess Aria at Valley Keep.

'The weakening of the given has repercussions: oaths are fading and darkness has festered in Prince Dellbright’s heart. Oakheart fears for Aria and Gillcress, but he must return to the Lower Warrens and free Sophy — and before the jewel she is trapped within drains the given completely from the land. Accompanied by an adept and the forest folk, he sets out to rescue her. The order from Crystal Mountain Retreat is, if Sophy cannot be freed, she must be destroyed…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I do not know how we will live with a decrease in the given. The Puri may want what we have but the fact is what they want may no longer exist…

'Sophy is trapped in Yulandir at the mercy of Rufus and the Ancient Evil as they drain the land’s given from her. Sophy must fight to keep the power inside herself and find a way back to Argenterra. Oakheart’s loyalties are divided: he cannot go after Sophy to rescue her because no one knows how to operate The Crystal Gate and his father calls for aid as the Puri have invaded Silverdale and he must go to war.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.