In this SPFBO8 Semi-Finalist, four unlikely heroes are caught in a complex web of prophecies as they navigate their way through a dangerous and mysterious world.

Bumbling but lovable warrior Josephus has a winning smile.
Grilk, a mischievous kobold wizard, is the silent black sheep of the group.
Cunning halfling thief Penellina Dairgren is always scheming.
Dwarven cleric Farald, exiled from his community, is desperate to regain his place in the world.

None of them know it, but they're all about to be swept up into a mess of ancient prophecies. But prophecies are malleable things that can be bent to suit the needs of those with the knowledge and power to do so.

With plenty of humor and heart, this small-scale adventure follows these four heroes as they navigate the tangle of prophecies and strive to fulfill their own destinies.

"It reads like a fun game of Dungeons and Dragons adventure with plot twists and comedic drama." - 5 stars
"There was lots of action and adventure and twists that you don't expect" - 5 stars
"With a plot that runs along at a cracking pace and plenty of witty banter plus a cast of interesting characters, this was fun to read." - 4 stars
"a lot of comedy, double-crossing and confused heroes" - 4 stars

"All I'm trying to say" - Josephus side-stepped an elf's crude overhead swing - "is that if you hadn't lost the map earlier, we wouldn't be in quite this predicament."

"Yes, yes," Grilk hissed, pressing its small scaly body against the slick cavern wall. "Hidden entrance or not. Elfs here anyway."

Josephus let out an exasperated sigh, and tossed the long blond hair from his face. "Still" - he kicked a wild-eyed elf to the side - "it would have been a little easier than this head-on assault." To emphasise the point, he skewered an elf through the back with his sword.

A tumble of rubble pooled at Josephus's feet. At the dim edges of Grilk's torchlight, an inky-dark tunnel lead deeper into the cave network. Three wood-elves emerged, carrying shields and swords, eyes glinting in the flickering light.

"Looks like some of them have a bit of sense left. They've got shields now," Josephus said.

"Elfs no sense. Not trees here. Only rocks."

"Maybe they're not wood-elves, maybe they're drow?" His shield blocked an arrow from an unseen attacker. "Can you brighten it up a little more in here? I can't see where these arrows are coming from."

Grilk's vertical-slit pupils narrowed, the most expressiveness its scaled face could show. "If no light, I see! Tell you where swing. Better." A flurry of arrows struck the floor around the lizard.

"I know." More arrows whistled past Josephus's ears. Going down on one knee, he tucked himself behind his shield as much as possible. He peered over the steel disc, scanning the nebulous shapes in the dim light. "But don't you think that would be a little ungainly? Please?" Distress strained his vocal register up an octave as two arrows buried themselves in the metal. "If you would light everything up for just a moment, I can deal with these guys and then we can work out a better plan."

"Plan good. You bad."

Josephus felt the need to point out - once again - that he hadn't lost the map; but another arrow changed his mind.

"Please, Grilk. I'll try and do better next time." Josephus swallowed.

The short, reptilian humanoid snuffled hot air out of its long snout. "Fine," it said...