Caves of Challenge

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?