Publisher's Synopsis
The epic tale of "HERBIA - NOW AND THEN" reveals the artifacts of a past world uncovered by the clever people of the Guilds, and hints at the legacy hidden in the wastes of the North. The first part "HERBIA MAPS AND RUMORS" introduces life in the Duchy of Now and the Counties of Th'enn, but also reveals ominous signs of danger from the past. Thyma and his friends Basil, Chervil and Gallie expose the antique culture born out of the Plague of sixty years past. In the second part, "ARSENALS OF THE NORTH KINGS", the Duchess rallies the Guild people and set them on a task to uncover the past hidden in the lands of the Duchy and Counties. Are the soldiers of Ivy attacking? Or have thieves been trailing them intent on stealing loot? Unanswered questions dog the survivors as they scattered in the face of murderous rogues. In their flight across Th'enn, Master Pinus and his journeymen (Chervil, Gallie and Thyma) are led by the ranger Basil. They meet the Marshal of Rangers, defeat three sorceresses of Ivy, and uncover the mystery of the Nomads. The Coastal travelers Halesia and Chionan find their lost friend Turritis, who joins the Nomads in their return to their south homeland. Through this all Pinus and the journeymen find arsenals with strange weapons of sound. What are they, and how can they defeat the peril of the mystic singers stained blue? What are the sorceresses? Who are the nine women recounted in Halesia's poetry from her teacher, Vilaya? As war comes upon the Duchy, Th'enn and Desti, can the people defend the river border, or will Ivy invade to destroy? What of the mystery of the Mere of Herbia? Chionan's warnings of the Sea-peoples go unheeded. This third part brings together the forces of north and south in the final struggle between Aquilo and Ivy, to decide which way will live on. Enter the World of Herbia.
