South to Adventure by Donald Haynes

Cormac knows that as Swordthane, the fate of the Land of Otherwhere rests on his shoulders. Now he faces his first major decision. Should he and the Princess continue east on the Greenway to arrive, finally, at Rivershome? If they do that, Cormac will keep the promise he made to the dying Fulton. The wisdom and advice of the Council of Elders will guide him toward fulfilling his destiny. Or should they turn south, where a devastating curse seeks out children, and try to cleanse the land from the evil that lies on it.