Author(s): Sheri S. Tepper

Fiction

When Abasio comes across little orphan Xulai from Tingawan, one of the Ten Thousand Islands, far away over the Western Sea, she implores his help carrying out the last request of the Princess Xu-i-lok, who has been dying since the day she married Duke Justinian. Xulai is Princess Xu-i-lok's Soul Carrier and the task she must complete means visiting the scary forest in the dead of night - but it is the only thing that will bring the princess a measure of peace. Abasio, helper of orphans, promises though she must do this alone, he will be near, to aid her if necessary...and it is, for there are dark things abroad... And Xulai's job is not yet done, for with the princess now dead, the grieving Duke is left a widower - and Alicia, Duchess Altamont wishes to marry him. It's not just the man she wants, but his lands too and her plans do not bode well for anyone except her...