Dark Paths

The third in the fast-and-furious fantasy adventure The Legends of the Älfar: the worlds of the dark elves and the dwarves collide in what Malazan Empire calls 'Tolkien with a dash of Gemmell and a sprinkling of George R.R. Martin'. There are four races: the Elves, the Dwarves and the Humans and the Älfar. The other three all know the Älfar to be dark, relentless warriors, set on conquest; they have been deadly enemies since time immemorial. But are things about to change? The young älfar triplets Sisaroth, Tirigon and Firüsha have been banished to the deadly underground realm of Phondrasôn, two of them exiled for a murder they did not commit, the third determined to stay with them, to help them survive this terrifying place full of monsters. Then Sisaroth meets a dwarf, Tungdil, who has been locked up in the Dark Abyss (Tungdil will be well-known to readers of the Dwarves series!) - and their unexpected relationship will change the fate of the älfar and the dwarves - for ever. Dark Paths is the third book in bestselling author Markus Heitz's Legends of the Älfar series.

There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. He discusses correct breathing, posture, routine, teacher-student relations, and koan study, as well as common problems and milestones encountered in the process. Throughout the book the author returns to zazen, offering further advice and more advanced techniques. The orientation extends to various religious attitudes and includes detailed discussions of the Three Treasures and the Ten Precepts of Zen Buddhism. Taking the Path of Zen will serve as orientation and guide for anyone who is drawn to the ways of Zen, from the simply curious to the serious Zen student.

In a world where Light threatens to corrupt and conquer, Taithe, a prisoner, possesses something invaluable: a formidable sword. This relic lures enemies from every corner – human, Effelin, and Dwarf alike – all desperate to claim its power and conceal their betrayals. But amidst this chaos, dark magic rises, vying to curb Light’s dominance. Rescued from the clutches of the malevolent Spite and on the brink of death, Taithe is transported to Dwarrowdelve, the fabled lost mine of Dwarvern legends. Here, alongside the fierce Effelin Caliphe and the legendary Tunnel-Hunters, The Styx, he confronts a multitude of foes, from vicious black wolves to lurking Orcs and other treacherous beings. But the most insidious threat of all is the Imp who shadows Taithe, hungry for the stolen treasure. In the depths of Dwarrowdelve, alliances will be tested, loyalties forged, and a choice must be made: to stand with the Light or embrace the Rock and Shadows. The balance of the world teeters on this decision, with Spite’s freedom – and the potential downfall of all – in the balance. The true enemy isn’t always as it seems; will they discern it in time?

Summary: In the cute town of Lightheart, which is tucked away among quiet hills and whispering woods, four brave friends are drawn into an old story. There are rumors of a dark path that traps them in the unknown and is marked by an old curse. Leo, Mia, Jake, and Zoe decide to solve the secrets that have been haunting their home for a long time by going on a trip that will test their strength and bring them together in ways they never thought possible. With nothing but their unwavering courage and the bonds of their long-lasting friendship, the crew sets out on a journey into the heart of the shrouded route. They run into problems in the form of questions and riddles that block their path. Each one brings them closer to the truth. They are determined and persistent in everything they do, from figuring out the ancient markings on a strange map to facing the scary whispers in the Whispering Woods. Their journey takes a dramatic turn when they find an old rock that is glowing with a soft but strong light. With the help of a road guardian, they figure out that this rock is both where the curse comes from and how to break it. As never before, they fight a war of the shadows that will decide Lightheart's fate as they face the darkness that wants to put out their light. They try to clean the crystal one more time and send out a flash of light that gets rid of the shadows and lifts the curse. The valley, which was dark before, is now filled with light and looks like a beautiful dream. When they get back to Lightheart, there are huge celebrations because they are seen as heroes for finding the truth and making their town better. Generations have learned from the story of the murky road and the brave friends who find a way through it that courage is a virtue, friendship is strong, and light always wins over darkness. Lightheart grows, a tribute to the eternal light that lives inside all of us and a constant warning that light can be found if you're brave enough to look for it, even when things are at their darkest. Chapter 1: the Story Every child in the small village of Lightheart looked forward to a certain activity. In this village, smiles were as common as the flowers that grew everywhere. As the sun went down, the sky would turn orange and pink, and they would gather around a roaring fire, eyes wide with hope. The warm glow of the fire cast swirling shadows behind them, making them look even more scared. Old people in the town, who were wise and wrinkled from age, were about to tell stories that had been told for years. The kids were especially interested in the story about an old trail that was said to be hidden somewhere near their town. People said that this path was cursed by a strong, ancient force and wasn't like any other. The kids leaned in closer, making sure they didn't miss a word as the adults spoke in a respectful but careful way. For those brave enough to cross the road, it was said that the shadows would be so thick that they would feel like they were alive. There were stories about strange sights and sounds, as well as mutterings in the dark that told long-lost secrets. The air around the path was filled with the magic of old spells, and only the bravest people were thought to be brave enough to explore its secrets. The elders warned that the way was guarded by mysteries as old as the stars themselves, illusions that could trick the eyes, and puzzles that could twist the mind. But there was also the idea that overcoming these problems would lead to amazing achievements. The Lightheart kids were very interested in these stories. Their minds were as active as the fires in front of them, making clear pictures of the road that was hidden by the darkness. They dreamed of going on trips to find this interesting road, walking along paths where shadows danced, and finding out what the curse meant. For kids who were brave enough to listen, the story of the old road became a sign of excitement. It was dark outside, and the Lightheart children were very brave when the fire was reduced to glowing coals and the stars started to come out. They dreamed as they went to sleep that they were heroes in their own stories, that they were in myths, and that they found the truth behind the strange path. The story of the old, evil road had a magical effect on the new generation, making them dream, believe, and maybe even go exploring one day.

From the author of the bestselling fantasy series The Dwarves--which has sold over one million copies--come the dynamic new series The Legends of the Alfar. In Righteous Fury, the elves, dwarves and humans all know the alfar to be dark, relentless warriors. In Dson Faimon, the realm of the alfar, the warriors are planning a military campaign. Caphalor and Sinthoras are looking to enlist a powerful demon to strengthen their army - but the two alfar have very different goals. While Caphalor is determined to defend the borders of their empire and no more, the ambitious Sinthoras is intent on invasion: and he has the kingdoms of dwarves, elves, and me firmly in his sights.