75 years later.........

They stood out on the balcony and looked out over the vast expanse of Azarathia. The grass glistened with the morning dew as the birds sang their song. A song that sounded of a new day and new things. The young couple stood there and took in the beauty of the morning. They gazed with eyes of wisdom over the expanse of the valley, secretly knowing that it could all change in a single instant.


Trebor had awoken in a cold sweat, trembling from the dream that had disturbed his slumber. And unlike most dreams that faded from memory as the body settled, this dream lingered in his mind as a dark cloud lingers over the sea. The dream began on the shores of the sea. The gulls called to one another, informing their comrades where to find the best fish, the waves crashed upon the sand, making alcoves for tide pools. The sky was a myriad of colors dancing with the rays from the sun. Trebor walked down to the water and stood in it's cool foam. He closed his eyes, lifted his head, and listened to the ocean. "It is beautiful isn't it?" The voice caught the man off guard and he turned to find a man dressed for battle. His sword, a hilt of silver inlayed with gold and a glorious length of folded steel intricately designed with runic lettering surely of some far off language, was unsheathed and ready for anything.

"Who are you?" Trebor questioned.

The man sheathed his sword and responded, "One you should be very afraid of. I am Ilima, son of Echnovor, and messenger for his Lord Athoraan. His Lord sends me to ready you for a visitor from his courts, a man by the name of Seoden, son of Ecalar, a man with a temper of a tiger and a fighter's eye as of a fazarath. He is to give you important information as to the future safety of your kingdom and I advise you to listen."

"When am I to expect this Seoden, son of Ecalar?"

"The sun will set twelve times before his shadow shall touch your lands. You will expect him at twilight on the thirteenth day." His voice became quieted and he leaned in closer, "You and your beloved are to wait facing the west until his lord's servant arrives. You will do this?"

Trebor turned and thought of all that the man had said. "I will do this."

Just then, a storm formed on the sea and the wind blew the waves to incredible heights. The sky became darker than the night and fear gripped even the earth below Trebor's feet. He turned to question Ilima, but he was nowhere to be seen. Trebor closed his eyes and wished for death, but death did not come. Help did not come. Only the darkness of fear surrounded him. Then, he awoke.