Meadowsweet

Statues on the legendary Moonlit Mountain have a life of their own. Of all the world's treasures, none are more valuable than stone from the Twelve. Children on all four continents are tested for affinity, for the mountains hold magic. But in the foothills of the Gray Mountain, no one remembers stone lore. The majestic Statuary is forgotten, as are the wonders that fill its galleries. Only rumors remain, and those are used to frighten children. For it's said that a monster lives in the heights. Freydolf serves as the Gray Mountain's Keeper. Exiled. Feared. Unwelcome. But necessity drives him into a Flox village to hire a boy to fetch water and tend fires. Tupper Meadowsweet isn't the cleverest child, but he's brave enough to follow his new master up top. In the Statuary, Tupper finds hints of faraway lands, diverse races, long histories, unique customs, and danger. Excerpt: (from Meadowsweet, Chapter One) "Hello, lambkin." Fascinated by the boy's unwavering gaze, Freydolf asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?" "I am." The big Pred blinked in surprise and asked, "Then why are you still here?" "Mother said to stay. And to look you in the eye." Freydolf's bemusement grew. "So you're here because she told you to come, not because you want to work for me?" It took a while for the child to untangle the sentence, but once he did, he nodded. Lowering himself further, the sculptor sat on the ground. "You have nothing to fear from me, lambkin." "That's not what people say," he replied bluntly, still not breaking eye contact. Freydolf had to smother a smile. "Aye, people do say otherwise."