The Patchen

"Farming is BORING," Jovek constantly complains.

But then Mount Zie erupts. Wind flattens the forests. Ash clogs the air. Molten lava and something else far more dangerous pours from the ruptured volcano. Everything changes. What could be so terrible that the wild animals have all fled? Why are the birds walking, afraid to fly?

Jovek's Grandfather is adamant someone has to stop the farmers who raced off to kill the mysterious beast from Zie. Excited and terrified at the same time, Jovek mounts his horse, says goodbye to his twin sister, Youli, and rides off to find the men.

This isn't exactly the heroic journey he'd imagined, however. First, he's riding an old plow horse, slow and broad as a table. Second, he has no real weapons. Third, an ancient underworld creature is going with him as a guide: the Urchii. The strange creature has too many teeth to count. Sharp teeth. And it is always hungry. The Urchii claims to know how to kill the beast from the volcano, but can Jovek trust it?

The quest seemed simple: deliver the Urchii to the band of farmers and head straight back home. But Jovek soon finds out no decision is simple when you are responsible for life and death choices involving the people and world you love.