Topher

Wasco Foley probably thought he was doing the right thing when he dropped Topher back into a life where the biggest threats were boredom and monotony. After helping him recover his magic rifle from the Blacklands, she's back on the streets and getting reckless. Bullies and the occasional run-in with the Deputies just aren't as exciting as the magic and monsters she'd discovered weren't only in history books. Before she can get into too much trouble on her own, the Empire invades the city, and the excitement is back. When her mentor Old Ying mysteriously disappears and leaves a coded message telling her to find Wasco, Topher must use everything she learned to become the leader she needs to be.

Joined by the half orc warrior charged with protecting Ying and a fast-talking card-sharp mage, Topher needs to escape the city and cross dangerous mountains teeming with Empire troops. Then maybe they can find the ole chucklehead and kill the demon that's holding him. Nothin to it.