Ruin & Reliance (Potion Voyages #9)

Violence, greed and secrecy are the cultural cornerstones of the world of magic oceans. To survive and thrive, a few live by faith, some depend on money, others trust in friendship, yet most rely on their powers given by the enchanted waters.

Nefarious families, rogue military commanders, greedy central bank governors, ancient entities, despotic nobles, and bloodthirsty cult leaders all attempt to manipulate the world by whatever means possible. Their financial fraud, covert operations, depraved rituals, morbid curiosity and undying anger cause death, poverty, chaos, sickness, fear and mistrust across land and sea.

The mystical explorer—Erikkos—composes symphonies of devastating music to destroy innocent lives and steal arcane knowledge, giving him access to even more power. Other agents of evil—driven by their own heartless ambitions—build and use wicked weapons to bring ruin to body and soul of both the corrupt and the righteous.

The bitter, loveless and despondent Duke Jovan dwells on his hatred for his already fallen enemies while wishing for his own death to end the sorrow which consumes him. A surprise attack from a neighboring noble, visitors with ominous dreams and alarming reports by spies all convince him to unleash his simmering rage. When Jovan leads his soldiers into battle against much larger armies, he proves just how formidable a warlord he truly is.

A group of runaway peasants—led by Patrick, Ruth and Elise—traverse a countryside rife with corruption and decay. The feudal lords have stolen the best opportunities from the honest laborers, paying them paltry sums for long hours in the fields and quarries. Seduction and spiritual warfare stand between the escapees and ultimate freedom. Elise’s songs can protect them from some threats. Yet, their destination may prove to be far more dangerous than their arduous journey.

All elemental powers—light and dark, time and telepathy, stone and song, logic and strength, vitality and nature, spirits and stars—each in their own way, enable the revelation of truths from ages ago. When cryptic clues are deciphered and the source of the ultimate power is discovered, unseen authorities will do anything to protect it.

Fierce armies, political leaders, competing factions, brilliant architects, devoted missionaries, hidden warriors and peasant workers all gather in the volcanic wasteland known as Cinder Valley. While some hope to find peaceful prosperity and others conspire to gain unfair advantage, a tragic sequence of calculated risks and vicious deceptions leads all of them into battle for control of the greatest prize.

Judith—the twelve century old-yet-young Chronicler—grows in faith and love despite watching the fabric of society collapse from sin and madness. She travels the world and witnesses sadistic schemes set into motion by coldblooded killers. These horrific acts give rise to perils beyond anyone's expectations, transforming the environment into the most devastating enemy.