The Blending Series by Sharon Green

In a world of magical adepts, every 25 years the five greatest talents must be brought together. For only this powerful union of strangers can prevent the prophesied return of the Evil Ones who enslaved the land. As one, they must stand against the odious treachery of past masters--and confront a fearsome depravity that hungers for their world.

In order to prove themselves to be the Chosen Five of the ancient Prophecies, Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Jovvi, and Vallant compete in a series of deadly contests designed to reveal the full scope of their magical powers.

"The competition has begun. The band of five which best combines elemental magics into the most powerful alchemy will be chosen to win the throne and ward off doom for the kingdom. But the stakes are much higher than anyone suspects.Each magical adept possesses a potent preternatural talent. Stunning Tamrissa is "Fire; Vallant the sailor, "Water; Jovvi the lissome ex- courtesan, "Spirit; farmer Lorand, "Earth; and blue-blooded Rion, "Air... more"The competition has begun. The band of five which best combines elemental magics into the most powerful alchemy will be chosen to win the throne and ward off doom for the kingdom. But the stakes are much higher than anyone suspects.Each magical adept possesses a potent preternatural talent. Stunning Tamrissa is "Fire; Vallant the sailor, "Water; Jovvi the lissome ex- courtesan, "Spirit; farmer Lorand, "Earth; and blue-blooded Rion, "Air.But their fragile union threatens to disintegrate when Jovvi and Tamrissa discover a secret sensuality that would make their Blending supreme. And the dissension within is nothing compared to the perils assailing the enchanted quintet from competing nobles and judges alike, all determined to see the peasant mages perish. For as they vie for the Palace of Five, the brave but unwary team rushes headlong into desperate danger...and unknowable jeopardy. less

Once tbe five elements -- Earth, Wind, Air, Fire and Spirit -- were One, when five gifted people joined their magical talents into One. When these five forces -- embodied by three men and two women -- are Blended, they are the ultimate power against the evil that threatens their world. But there is one weapon against which they cannot fight...betrayal.BetrayalsOn a world of magical adepts, the five greatest talents are fated to unite and rule... moreOnce tbe five elements -- Earth, Wind, Air, Fire and Spirit -- were One, when five gifted people joined their magical talents into One. When these five forces -- embodied by three men and two women -- are Blended, they are the ultimate power against the evil that threatens their world. But there is one weapon against which they cannot fight...betrayal.BetrayalsOn a world of magical adepts, the five greatest talents are fated to unite and rule. But Tamrissa, Jovvi, Vallant, Rion, and Lorand have been cruelly separated, struck down by treachery at the very moment of their greatest triumph.Scattered across a vast empire, the five heroes must escape their prisons and find each other again. For only then will they be able to re-create their Blending, that magical melding of their powers that will allow them to defeat their enemies...and win the path to a throne. less

The Chosen Five--wielders of elemental magic--have defeated their betrayers and are returning to the city behind a legion of their followers. Tamrissa, fierce lady of Fire; Rion, noble lord of Air; Vallant, brave captain of Water; Lorand, clever master of Earth; and Jovvi, passionate sorceress of Spirit have so far successfully met the challenges set by those who would prevent the Five from their rightful throne. But the struggle is not over yet... moreThe Chosen Five--wielders of elemental magic--have defeated their betrayers and are returning to the city behind a legion of their followers. Tamrissa, fierce lady of Fire; Rion, noble lord of Air; Vallant, brave captain of Water; Lorand, clever master of Earth; and Jovvi, passionate sorceress of Spirit have so far successfully met the challenges set by those who would prevent the Five from their rightful throne. But the struggle is not over yet. Still barring their way are the sinister usurping Five, an invading army and a peasant rebellion. The battle has never been more desperate, nor the stakes so high. But nothing can stop the forces of Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Spirit when they unite behind the greatest power of all...the power of Destiny. less

Lorand, Rio, Vallant, Tamrissa, Jovvi, and Naran assume the leadership of the fledgling republic, and face dark intrigues among their own people, sinister plots by foreign powers, and a malevolent evil enemy of extraordinary power.

In the empire of Gandistra, a mystical union of elemental magics reigns...Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Vallant, Jovvi and Naran have combined their elemental powers and their deep compassion to bring a new era of enlightenment to their once enslaved land. The miraculous reforms decreed by the Ruling Sixfold Blending have enabled all to freely pursue the Limits of their magic. But freedom is a hated thing to some, giving rise to jealousy, deceitfulness and unchecked ambition... moreIn the empire of Gandistra, a mystical union of elemental magics reigns...Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Vallant, Jovvi and Naran have combined their elemental powers and their deep compassion to bring a new era of enlightenment to their once enslaved land. The miraculous reforms decreed by the Ruling Sixfold Blending have enabled all to freely pursue the Limits of their magic. But freedom is a hated thing to some, giving rise to jealousy, deceitfulness and unchecked ambition.As traitors scheme at home, the Chosen Six are called beyond Gandistra's borders to deal with a dire threat to their empire and their world. For, as the leaders of neighboring Gracely bicker and brood and play politics, an inconceivable army is massing -- an invading wave of impossible terror, dedicated to the total devastation of everything in its path. And it may already be too late to stop a foe immune to every known magic -- including the awesome blended might of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Sight, and Spirit. less

Even with their combined Elemental powers over Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Spirit and Sight, Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Vallant, Jovvi, and Naran are hard-pressed to defend Gandistra against both its internal and external enemies.