David McLeod

You all made my day. I am a scientist by training and inclination, although my laboratory is often limited to my kitchen or my mind. I, too, like to mix science and magic in the spirit of Arthur Clarke's Third Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." So mote it be! David

Timothy M. Thank you for reading and for your comment. Overpopulation, especially in what we call "underdeveloped" countries (because "Third World" is no longer politically correct) is already leading to Malthusian Catastrophes and loosing the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, particularly Pestilence, Famine, and War. The Morlocks had a solution – they kept the Eloi in check by luring them to the underground and using them for food. Not something I would like to see, but I suspect it won't be long before stories of cannibalism are reported from countries with large refugee populations. I weep for humanity. David

Toast, Thank you for reading and for your kind words. Hope you will continue to find enjoyment in my stories. David

This particular "grail" (the Baron's son, the destruction of the evil one) is but one in a long series of adventures in this lifetime. It is a continuation of adventures in past lives and a precursor of adventures in future lives. Just as Lancelot never found the grail he sought, it is unlikely these boys (or the Principality of Arcadia and its ally, the Kingdom of the Elves) will ever completely overcome evil.

This particular part of the book is apparently based on W. W. Comfort's translation of "The Quest for the Holy Grail," but without the religious aspect. In the introduction, Comfort writes, These familiar adventures with lorn ladies, with eyrie castles, with awful tombs and sylvan shrines, with cruel or craven knights—are all invested with a new “significance.” They are interpreted by the lonely hermits and learned abbots as mere trials of that faith which must survive all trials along the way of life. These adventures which astound and baffle the knights are inexplicable to them until they are explained by godly men in their true perspective as tests of moral and spiritual strength. www.yorku.ca/inpar/quest_comfort.pdf I think that addresses a number of your thoughts. Thank you for those, and as always, thank you for reading.

All will be revealed – eventually. Rudy of Barrone (original author) does not write cliff-hangers, but he does sprinkle obscure clues throughout "The Book of Heroes."

"Good attracts evil; exceptional good attracts exceptional evil."

You are both prescient – and correct.

It would appear this particular band of brigands has some official protection, not unlike criminals in a corrupt city in our Earth Analogue. I believe you will see another side of this soon.

Yes, the author mishandled the amulet; however, the knowledge they gained may have been more important than the magic.

You both saw that Thom is to become an important player in Patrick and Alan's missions. Keep an eye on him!

CAdfael, AKA "The Pelican," and his operation is indeed secret, although I suspect Alan's father is aware of at least some of it. "The fewer people who know a secret the longer it may be kept." And he's not as big a fool as he appears, but someone of something stepped in to ensure Patrick and Alan would bond with him.

Thank you all for reading and for your thoughts. Patrick, of course, is the essence of Lawful-Good and Alan is utterly steadfast and devoted to him. (Anyone see any wish-fulfillment, there?)😊

Timothy M., Thank you for your loyalty to this story, and for taking the time to write reviews. It's good to know that folks are still enjoying them.

Cajbor, some of them will appear in later stories. May I suggest you check the "timeline," posted with the stories, to help you select a few that will eventually lead to what is now the final book in the series. (Not to say that there might not be more, someday.) Thank you for reading and for your comment.