The Argument of Stone - (Tales of Pannithor) by Ben Stoddard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Deep beneath the halls of the Free Dwarf keep known as Crag Hudd, there lies a gateway to another world, one filled with dark magic and from whence sinister shadows and foreboding whispers seep. Now that doorway has fallen into the hands of the Great Betrayer, who is using it to help build an army capable of bringing both Free and Imperial Dwarfs to heel. Sveri Egilax, Lord of Cwl Gen, along with the famed ranger Herneas and refugee Imperial Warsmith Yorna Twilip, must lead their ragged forces to try and stop this menace before it can come to fruition and terrorize the whole of Pannithor. But they find themselves weakened by their recent battle against traitorous Imps at the gates of Sveri's hold. Also, misleading news of the discontent brewing to the south threatens to steal their hearts for this fight.

Meanwhile, Garrek Heavyhand and Banick Kholearm work alongside Rordin, Golloch's heir and nephew, to try and expose the duplicity within the empire. Treachery begets treachery as they struggle to escape from the reaching hand of Gruumen Ashtel and his allies. Having been outmaneuvered, they flee towards Dolgarth and the safety of its walls while the message they seek to share is spread among the other holds of Golloch's empire, warning them of the dangers lurking within the halls of Caeryn Golloch. But it is a long march across hostile territory, and an Ashtel force pursues them relentlessly as they flee. It begins to become apparent that they might not be able to avoid a battle that they cannot possibly win.

Thus begins the second volume of the War of the Stone. It is a tale of honor, worthiness, and ultimately, it is a story of sacrifice that begs the question: What is the worth of a legacy?