Publisher's Synopsis
"The only way to break the spell is to take the journey to the dragon's lair, in the Mountains of Menace. It will be an arduous trek, over mountains and valleys, and through dark forests, and you will encounter many perils. And once you reach his cave, you must kill the beast so that you may free the people of Merdyce. "However," he warned, "only a knight who is pure of heart and strong of spirit may slay the dragon. And you are not a knight; you are merely a simple farm boy. You may survive the journey only to fail in the task, and success on the journey is assured only to the boldest and bravest of knights." Abelard stared at Godfrey blankly; it was clear he did not understand the old man. "What do you mean, sir? How could I survive the journey but fail in the task?" "I mean, young man, that you may be able to make your way through the perils alive, but when you reach the dragon's lair you shall not be able to stand against Dace; for he is a mighty beast, one of the oldest in the realm. His fire burnt out long ago, leaving only a green vapor when he breathes out. But everywhere that vapor touches is poisoned, and whoever breathes it in becomes like him; greedy, grasping, and gorging on whatever they hold to be dear to their hearts, whether it be treasure or other things more precious to them. "If you encounter Dace and are not pure of heart and strong of spirit, then know this: you will fall prey to whatever you desire most in all the world, and you will fail in your task. Dace may not devour you, but may let you live. And if that comes to pass your grief will be the greater because you will not enjoy the days that are left to you, for you will never know contentment, but will always be coveting something more and you shall never have enough of what you love the most." From the author of the Quest For the Kingdom series comes an exciting new fantasy adventure sparkling with whimsy and magic. The Kingdoms of Merdyce and Ryle have been placed under an evil enchantment by the wicked dragon, Dace, oldest and mightiest of his race, whose slimy green vapor leaves his victims changed forever. There is no one who can attempt to break the spell and free the people of the dragon's curse except Abelard, who alone escaped the enchantment. He discovers that the only way to break the spell is to slay the dragon who cast it, But only the bravest and boldest of knights with a pure heart and a strong spirit can slay the dragon Dace, and Abelard is merely a simple farm boy and the only steed he possesses is his old nag Larkspur. Abelard sets out on a dangerous quest to the dragon's lair, and engages in battles of wit and power with such fearsome creatures as giants, wizards, witches, marauding knights, and one very irate Fairy Queen. He is warned that as part of his testing for knighthood he will encounter 10 perils, and be given 10 weapons of warfare to help him overcome the perils if he uses them correctly. Only then can he become a knight and hope to slay the dragon and release the kingdoms from the evil spell.
