The 13 Worlds of Tarn — Adrian Scott

Tarn 1 is one of the larger planets in the Tarn solar system, and is the home of the little people known as the Contented Ones.
Each day, these little people go out into the fields and mountains, their task being to protect the growing plants and flowering shrubs from the vagaries of the weather.

One of these people, Gar-Thor, is a ‘Sweeper'; it is his duty to brush the heavy snowfalls away from the tiny trees just appearing above the earth. His wife, Wendith, is a teacher and spends her days retelling to the children of the Contented Ones the stories from long ago, the legends, and passing on the knowledge they will need when they are grown.

On the mountain valley also dwells a creature known as a Tiger-Bear, a huge animal with long canine teeth. At night their red eyes can be seen stalking the hillsides, seeking prey. They can be kept at bay by simply burning a light in a window or carrying one with you when outside at night

But on the far side of the valley where the Contented Ones live is another race of beings known as the Darkers â€" huge, hairy beasts who care nothing for peace and placidity. Dwelling in a large cave-system, they spend their time fighting, brawling, arguing, and competing with each other in battles when one of their number decides he wants to be leader of the Darkers.

There is one, however, who is far more evil, far more powerful than even the leader of the Darkers; and he is the Sorcerer of the Dark Veil, Margit Beil, and it is his intention that he and the Darkers should attack the Contented Ones, defeat them, kill them if needs be, and drive those who still live into the wilderness.

Margit-Beil would be ruler of the planet of Tarn 1, and of the entire galaxy of thirteen worlds.
But in his way stands Urla-Lo, the oldest man in the village of the Contented Ones, and a creature who wields his own power â€" a power just as strong as the Dark Veil, but of a cleaner, purer nature. Margit-Beil will not find defeat of the Contented Ones so easy.