Book excerpt: Dave's back, escaped with his friends of the quest to the Radjuk Empire, but they weren't unscathed and they're much different people. Their daunting challenge trying to unite the fractious races together for a mutual defense against the inevitable imperial invasion forces them into further harrowing life altering experiences and a new issue arises as a mysterious stranger appears. Is he a friend, or not? Dave can't seem to corral his discordant feelings about him. Dave still can't understand the development of his powers and the miraculous things he does, but that doesn't make him confident in his decisions.