Their heads filled with stories of adventures spun by their father and uncles, Vantann and Thomlin Merripen decide to have an adventure of their own. Through an old book they learn of The Caves of Challenge. If they can survive the challenges inside, they will emerge as not only men, but "Victoriers".
The brothers, and young Shuri decide they are willing to brave the risks and prove themselves, but before they have a chance to really get prepared, they are sent to the caves by haphazard magic.
Once there, it doesn't take long before Shuri and Vantann are captured by war gnomes and Thomlin is lost in a dark swamp. His only consolation is that, somehow, he has snagged Jansson van Tannen along for the bumpy ride. And, where Jansson goes, so go his friends.
Treyas, Darosenim, Kyel, and Druce enter the caves in search of the wayward children. But once there, they find much more than they bargained for, and the question becomes -; who will be forced to stay in the Caves of Challenge forever?
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The first stroke took Vantann's breath away, the second returned it with a gasp. He squeezed his eyes closed, pressed his cheek against the rough bark of the tree and waited for the third and final stroke. It came, wickedly painful, leaving him reeling. Unexpectedly, it was followed by two more, delivered in rapid, powerful succession. Vantann shrieked in agony and sagged against the tree.
"Three strokes, you fool!" Kebb bellowed. "Not five!"
Through eyes blurred by tears, Vantann saw Kebb wrench the whip from the soldier's hands.
"He killed my brother!" the soldier retorted. "He deserves to die as well!"
"When you are Lord of the Keep you can make that decision," Kebb shot back. "Until then, you'd best remember your place. Now, cut him down and clean him up. Then bring him to me. And I'm warning you, if there are any other wounds besides his back, I'll take it up with you personally. Now, move!" He stormed off, the whip in his fist.
The soldier clenched his jaw in anger and drew his dagger. Vantann sucked in his breath in horror.
"I should kill you here and now," the soldier seethed, flashing his dagger just inches from Vantann's face. "But it's going to be a pleasure watching you suffer under Lord Spak's servitude." He sliced through the tie between Vantann's wrists.
It had been the only thing holding him up and he slumped to the ground, overcome with pain. The soldier jerked him to his feet, dragged him across the rocks and tossed him into the river.
Vantann reared up in agony as the cold water washed across the open wounds on his back. Rage, humiliation and pain exploded from him and he snatched at the naiad magic that swept by. He was only vaguely aware of Thomlin's frantic attempts at a MindLink as he spun the magic into a tight strand and hurled a DeathSpell at the soldier.
