Laura and the Final Liberation — James Haselton

The epic adventure, The Minstrel's Song concludes in this the fourth volume of the tale. Laura and Stewart must now enter the eastern kingdom of Ankara, an island archipelago long isolated from the rest of the world, where rumor has it an ancient abominable social order persists. Though warned not to venture into that land by Amenophis, the wisest man in Reelobha, Laura believes she has an understanding with the High Priestess, Kalista, which will assure her safety. The problem is - which side is Kalista really on? His ambition unabated, Quantos and a few of his magician-priest supporters travel to the beautiful volcanic island off the east coast of the Verdenia mainland to meet King Thaddeus and enlist his help in their quest for dominion. A delicate game ensues in which the priests risk enslavement to gain the King's trust; but the King could be putting his entire realm at risk if he in turn becomes a tool in the priests' deadly game. Ankara begins to build its army of mercenaries which will rely on the terrible magical weapons Quantos and the priests are building. Who will have the power and dominion when the conflict is finally over? What will the war be like into which nearly every able-bodied man in the known world is being drawn? These questions and others concerning the characters you have come to know over the course of the four novels are answered in this the final volume of The Minstrel's Song series. But as in the previous volumes, the most important questions that real life itself poses are also dealt with in a stimulating and poignant story. Such eternal questions as; 'what is the purpose of the created worlds?' and 'does evil actually exist?' are answered for the thoughtful reader. Come again into the world of Laura, the Master Minstrel of Verdenia for one last time.