A DEADLY VOYAGE TO THE FROZEN EDGE OF THE WORLD Albaric, Tierny, Rutha and Basil must embark on an epic odyssey to retrieve the mysterious jewel named Hydra, which might hold the key to Albaric's salvation. Far across the sea, in the frozen wasteland of Thysia, stands the time-trapped tower of the mysterious wizard Sesuar. There, lost somewhere in the tower's cosmic depths waits the Hydra, with its dark and terrible link with the demon-prince Urzoth, who holds Albaric's fate in his grasp Untold perils lurk along the way. Urzoth has despatched a deadly ocean-demon to sink Albaric's ship, and claim his soul as he drowns. And although magic may ward off demons, it cannot dissuade a ship full of bloodthirsty buccaneers eager to prey on a sorcerer's apprentice and the two beautiful sword-women who will risk their lives to guard him . . . When the pirates sink his ship, Albaric must commandeer the buccaneers' vessel to continue his quest. The sorcerer's apprentice learns that it is easier to control the devils of hell than a crew of mutinous cutthroats. Touching on islands of wondrous beauty and awesome terror, Albaric's quest leads him past the sunset gates of the world into alien planes where no human has ever walked before. And at the end of it all, Hydra waits - and plots for its ultimate freedom . . . QUEST FOR THE HYDRA is Volume 2 of WIZARD OF EARTH'S END, and follows the events of Volume 1: THE STAFF AND THE STONE. Although each volume of the series fit into a single story arc, each can be read on its own as a stand-alone story. AUTHOR'S NOTE: A 12,000 word chapter that was edited from this novel for reasons of length can be found in APPARITIONS AND OTHER DARK DOINGS: (WIZARD OF EARTH'S END VOLUME 8) The 8-volume WIZARD OF EARTH'S END series: THE STAFF AND THE STONE QUEST FOR THE HYDRA MADMAN OF GHAVIER THE HOUNDS OF CHAOS THE SHORES OF SARGOTHROND THE SILK MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER THE CHAMPION OF NIGHT APPARITIONS AND OTHER DARK DOINGS