Kingdom in the Balance — Debra Killeen

Chaos comes to Myrridia's immediate neighbors when the King of Esterlyn passes away after a long illness and the 2-year-old King of Wyckendom is murdered in his cradle on the same day. The heir to Esterlyn, 12-year-old Frederich DiStephane, is abducted as his uncle prepares to usurp the throne, while an unexpected heir to Wyckendom, Katharine Severinson, appears at that royal castle. In the midst of these events, Frederich's young friends mount a search party, uncaring of the potential dangers to themselves, and traverse the length of Myrridia in pursuit. Shadows of past events continue to threaten the present as those with power in Myrridia work to rescue Frederich and aid him in claiming his inheritance. New Magical talents are discovered. Is belief in a just cause plus determination enough to overcome seemingly impossible odds, or does it take more...including a willingness to sacrifice oneself?