Tale of the Fox (Gerin the Fox, #4-5)

Ever since the catastrophic Werenight isolated the Northlands from the Elabonian Empire, Gerin the Fox has hoped to settle down as the peaceful ruler of Fox Keep...but destiny seems to have other ideas. The Voice of the god Biton prophesies danger to the Northlands. Gerin has already beaten off invaders, both human and inhuman. But this time he faces in invasion by the Gradi, led by their cold, fierce gods. Gerin has to fight fire with fire by invoking all the supernatural help he can get from the capricious god Mavrix, the aloof but powerful Biton, and the more elemental gods of those who live beneath the ground. And just when things can't get worse-they get worse. Gerin's neighbor, Aragis the Archer, has made one provocative move after another, and Gerin reluctantly decides that war is inevitable. But, suddenly, the Elabonian Empire again turns its unwelcome attention to the Northlands, which it regards as a subject territory. Gerin and Aragis are now allies against a common enemy...and a very formidable one, with forces that outnumber both their armies put together! Taleof the Fox was previously published in parts as King of the North and Fox and Empire . Gerin the Fox, ruler of Fox Keep, finds his peaceful life turned upside down by the invading Gradi, the machinations of imperial forces out to re-annex the Northlands, and an uneasy alliance with an old foe.