The Lost Children

The Lost Children is the second installment of the Men of the Mountains saga. It continues the adventures of Aidan Tanner, known as the Diamond, a legendary warrior. After returning Aidan to Eagle Eye after a long solitude, a disease plagues the city and it is believed to be the work of Tigossi, a "child" of the Divine. Aidan and the Clan venture to find a weapon to stop Tigossi, Bedeling seeks the Regenades to find his brother Junior and Nieve faces many obstacles travelling north.

### Plot

1) The Gift

The Dreaded King sits in a dark room, meditating. He hears a voice calling to him which he does not understand. His servant Ratley, informs him of recent news that Ghul was killed and the Book of the Dead was recovered by the Night Riders; also that they have the Sword of the Dead. They go down to an overgrown courtyard of the Dreadfort. Ratley pushes two curved stones together and the King throws some black dust at the stones which ignites the Window. He speaks to unknown voices through the portal window, who want to know when he will recover the Sword of the Dead in order to release them from the portal. After the conversation, Ratley informs them that Karg has arrived with a gift; the Earth Sword.

2) Black Manor

Bedeling, Zara and Jedd travel to the Black Country where Aidan, who went missing after the grief of losing Evie, was last seen. They reach Black Manor and meet the crooked groundsman who confirms Aidan went in there. They split up and search the manor. Bedeling finds Aidan who apologizes for abandoning the group. They look to find the others, but find Zara unconscious in the Ballroom. Suddenly Aidan turns on Bedeling and hunts him across the manor.

3) The Doppelganger

Bedeling hides in a room, and sees the true Aidan trapped in a mirror. He explains he was attacked by his reflection and trapped in the mirror world known as Mirrorwhere. The Doppelganger was formed of Aidan's dark thoughts and requires more sacrifices to Mirrorwhere in order to escape Mirrorwhere completely and leave the manor. The Doppelganger realizes he possesses the Sword of the Dead but before he can use its power, the others work out that by destroying all the mirrors, the Doppel will be forced back to Mirrorwhere.

4) Reunion

Aidan reunites with the Night Riders and apologizes for his actions. He explains he read in the Book about the Window, that can let you communicate with those in Otherwhere. They return to Dune which is recuperating from the Dracon and Hallowdemon's attack on the city. King Maximillian formally thanks Aidan and the group for stopping the Hallowdemon and for the sacrifices that were made. The group believe Max's advisor was responsible for leading the Dracon army to Havenhill and he is reunited. Later the group are greeted by Stobor who has travelled from Peak City.

5) The Dead Fields

Stobor was sent to exchange information with Dune about recent attacks and a strange plague spreading the countryside. The farmers call it Tigossi, where old fairy tales say Tigossi is an old unpleasant entity intent on spreading disease and death across the lands. They hear a Dune farm has a case of Tigossi and they go to investigate. Bedeling believes another magical weapon may kill Tigossi as the Sword of Death has no effect. Bedeling knows a contact who may know more about these weapons.

6) Crossroads

They set on their way to Maribone, a costal town where the Alchemist resides. They reach a crossroads and Bedeling wishes to go alone to Deeping Hollow as this is where his contact. Stobor comes with him, eager to help find this weapon to stop it spreading to his home of Peak City. The other three arrive at Maribone and find the Alchemist.

7) The Alchemist

The trio talk with the Alchemist who quizzes them of their intentions and what they already know.

8) The Children of Divine

8) The Renegades

9) The Pit

10) Eye of the Gate

11) Whispering Woods

12) The Outcast

13) Regis Rum

14) The Arena

15) The Family

16) The Lost Kingdom

17) The Silver Knight

18) Flight from the Hollow

19) Morag's Revenge

20) City Falls

21) The Rebirth - Titan rises, Bedeling is captured

22) Captured

23) Flight from the Forest

24) The Creature Arrives

25) Survivor's Island

26) The Last Hope