One - Prologue

Seven years ago

Raidon

It was a drizzly morning when Raidon’s mother instructed him to visit aunt Marja. The eleven-year-old boy didn’t really want to go. Aunt Marja was always so clingy. It was impossible to evade all the kisses and hugs.

His mother however, thought that it was once again time for the whole family to come over. Raidon’s father had recently joined a merchant to drive his and was away from home a lot. As a result, there was almost never time to have a family get-together. Since his father finally had a few days off from work, it was time for the whole family to dine together.

A few moments later, Raidon trudged through the street in the drizzle. Because he looked down to avoid getting the rain in his face, he didn’t notice the other people moving to the side of the street. He was startled when a man pulled on his arm to move him aside.

“Watch out, boy, those warriors really won’t hesitate to walk right over you. You might get injured and I don't want that on my conscience.”

Raidon looked up startled and only then he saw that there was a group of twenty warriors coming his way. Up to that point he had only seen warriors from a sizable distance. Mother was always very careful when there were warriors in the neighborhood. Raidon didn’t know why, but mother preferred to go around an entire block rather than that get close to such men. The only time Raidon had really seen warriors, was when he secretly went to the Palace to have to look. And even then they remained at a great distance while watching those men standing guard at the gate.

Up close, the warriors were far more impressive for the young boy. The men walked full of confidence through the street. Raidon didn’t know yet, but a lot of that confidence was arrogance.

The warriors all had rough leather chest armor and leather wrist protectors. They also had high leather boots that were more suitable for horseback riding than walking. On their waists they had a large sword and a dagger. Their round shields hung on their backs.

“Wow, I’d love to look like that when I grow up,” Raidon said.

“Don’t yell that too hard, boy, I think your mother will have an opinion on that,” noted the man who had pulled him to the side of the street. “Those warriors often cause more nuisance than they are worth. No woman is safe with some of those guys.”

Raidon didn't understand the connection between women and warriors, and why else warriors like that would be annoying eluded him even more.

“I'm still going to be a warrior when I grow up,” reported Raidon to the man. But he added gently to it: “But maybe I won’t tell that to mother.”

“Good for you, boy, good for you.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alyena

Late in the afternoon, the fifteen-year-old Alyena was looking out of the window when her father, the Emperor, came in. The Emperor of Falwyn was a firmly built man with graying hair and a well-groomed beard. The man, who was in his fifties watched his daughter with a concerned expression on his face.

“I come bearing bad news, Alyena,” he started, “I just received notice that your engagement this summer will not happen.”

Alyena, who had never been in favor of the engagement, but knew it was the best for her country, didn't seem very upset.

“Why not, Father? I thought you and Emperor Igror of Chakra were both convinced that we could bring both empires closer together?”

“That's right, daughter, and we both still stand behind it." If both empires would become one, everyone could live in peace. The only ones that don’t live within the borders of our two countries are the nomads in the high north. And they only come over the mountains after very bad winters on the ice. In short, there would be virtually no need for the huge armies that we have to keep up with now. It is time to stop this pointless war that has been going on for centuries.”

Then the Emperor sighed. “Unfortunately, I fear that that peace will remain a dream. The prince who would become your fiancé, the crown prince, has been murdered by one of his brothers. After this Borya killed his brother, he went right to Emperor Igror to claim the position of heir to the throne. He then persuaded all of his brothers to leave the court and renounce their claims. I understand that most of them have disappeared quickly. Whether they have fled or were killed, I do not know.”

The emperor seemed to have sunk in thought, but then went on. “In any case, it seems as if the new crown prince is pulling more power towards himself. My agents do not know whether the Emperor Igror is in control at all, or that Prince Borya is now ruling the country. As for your engagement, the new crown prince has informed him that he doesn’t find it necessary to seal the truce between us and Chakra with a marriage. I am sorry to bring this so insensitive, but I thought that you had the right to hear this from me, and not through the gossip of others.”

Alyena had listened attentively to her father. It happened more and more that her father used her to test ideas. For a long time she had been aware of the ins and outs of the empire.

“That doesn't matter, father, as you know I thought it was my duty to agree with your plan. However, it was not my choice to marry someone I've never even seen before. So I’m really not that upset that the engagement has been cancelled. This means that I can find someone myself. It’s worse that this Borya is now in control. I do not believe that he will hold to the terms of the truce for a long time.”

“Unfortunately I agree with you, daughter, but hopefully Borya has his hands full with taking over control of Chakra. He is not yet an emperor, so anything can still happen.”