John lay still in the darkness, watching and listening. In exchange for lessons about life on Earth, Ravishan agrees to keep John and his friends’ presence a secret and to help them survive in the wastes of Basawar.īut not all of the inhabitants of this world are as kind as Ravishan, and one evening John finds himself hiding at the edge of a river as a dangerous and strange party gathers a few yards from him.Īrc Two: In the Shadow of the White Mountain Chapter Ten Ravishan hopes to one day rise from the rank of ushiri to become the Kahlil and travel to John’s home world. While searching for it, John discovers not only the horrifying sight of a road lined with burning bodies but also encounters his first hope for a return to Earth: Ravishan, a young Payshmura priest training in the mystical art of traveling through ‘Gray Space’ to distant places. Meanwhile, John and his friends have lost the golden key. Confused and alone in a world he no longer recognizes, Kahlil takes refuge among men who have a use for his deadly skills. But the passage through leaves him physically beaten and his memories broken. Despite the Great Gate being shattered, he follows John, Laurie and Bill back to his homeworld. Kyle-who in his own world is known as Kahlil-realizes that he must kill John before he destroys Basawar. In an instant they are torn from the easy life they’ve known and hurtled into the harsh wastelands of Basawar. Before he can return the key to Kyle, John and his friends, Laurie and Bill, accidently use it to open a gate to another world. Inside John finds a key and a note reading: don’t. I could not have done this without you-Įnvironmental Studies graduate student John Toffler intercepts a letter intended for his mysterious roommate, Kyle. Huge thanks to Gavin, Michael, Melissa and Nicole. Any resemblances to actual people or events are coincidental. All characters and situations depicted are fictional. No part of this publication may used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.Ĭover art, maps and all illustrations by Dawn Kimberling

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