Children of the Night - Tapa dura

Mark, the lowly cleaning boy in the cathedral teams up with Gene, the independent-minded daughter of a rich merchant, and a skilled dragonfly pilot. Mark takes Quicksilver, the rat he has befriended, and with whom he talks telepathically. They are joined by Calvin, the talented young engineer, as they flee from the sinister forces of the ruthless Baron Vassendreyl and from the deadly sect called The Children of the Night. In the caves of the faceless obliterati they learn tantalizing clues of what is afoot, enough to send them off across the oceans and icy wastes to the great castle on the realm's northern frontier. It is there they learn of the coup being attempted by dissident barons and church leaders, and of the terrible weapons which are to be used. The three youngsters face great dangers to fight the plotters, and Mark starts to develop his own powers as a sensitive. It is a race against time if they are to thwart the impending catastrophe, and one which will test the very depths of their courage and resourcefulness.

Madsen Pirie is also the author of Dark Visitor and The Waters of Andros, both of which are available on Amazon.