The Runaways of Phayendar

About the Book

The Runaways of Phayendar explores the themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption amid a land of turmoil over the slave trade and greed. It is a story of innocence and heroism in the face of formidable danger. It shows the triumph of the human spirit over evil as it ravages the country of Aksanda, a country of farmers and fishermen whose children are abducted and sold into slavery to foreigners at auctions. Homes are burned and people killed by hordes of evil elves called Bitters who organize for a battle at Orthrund against the dwarves living in the Aikasse Mountains. Bright Elves, men and dwarves, unite to defend Orthrund. Tall Sky, while helping a few runaways, is caught off guard by love with a feisty redhead named Melody and her little dragon, Daisy. They become involved with King Aryante’s purge of slavery that has far-reaching effects on the country of Aksanda and beyond.

About the Author

Carol Strote was born to Theda and Carl Sigurd Johnson in Rockford, Illinois, where she graduated from Auburn High School. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor of arts degree with majors in English and philosophy. She then studied special education at Northern Illinois University and Rockford College. She developed an alternative school for dropouts in the Rockford inner city while raising her son, Ian Jordan. She also taught in the public school system.