Shea is a half-elven young man who has been adopted by the Ohmsford family and lives a quiet life in Shady Vale where he and his brother, Flick, help their father run the family inn. Shea’s peace life is disrupted when Allanon, the last of the Druids, shows up in Shady Vale and turns his entire life upside-down. This mysterious Druid explains that Brona, the Warlock Lord, has returned to the Skull Kingdom in the Northland and is planning to take over the world. He also claims that Shea is the last descendant of Jerle Shannara; this makes Shea the only one with the power to use the Sword of Shannara against the Warlock Lord and defeat him for good. Before leaving as mysteriously as he arrived, Allanon tells Shea that he must make the journey to Paranor to retrieve the sword and put an end to the Warlock Lord. This overwhelms Shea, and he delays leaving for this journey.
When an evil Skull Bearer of the Warlock Lord shows up in the Vale a couple of weeks later, Shea, who has still been residing in his home, is forced to flee. His ever faithful brother refuses to let him go alone, and so they begin their perilous trek to Paranor to find the sword. They make many friends along the way who aid them in their journey, but they must also overcome many dangerous obstacles. In the meantime, the Warlock Lord has invaded the Southland and has sent a huge army of Gnomes and Trolls to Callahorn in the Northland to start another war. On top of this, Balinor Buckhannah, the Prince of Callahorn and leader of its Legion Army, is already dealing with another crisis taking place within the country. Can the brothers and their friends find the sword in time for Shea to stop the Warlock Lord? If they find the sword, will the innocent Shea have the courage to use it or will their world be taken over and destroyed? Find out by reading "The Sword of Shannara," found in the John I. Burton High school library.
Written by: Austin Q.