Chapters

**Prologue**

A messenger of Athol arrives at the gates of Leuven where he his stopped from entering the city. He brings with him a letter of which he claims is a treaty for peace instigated by the King of Kona and that just needs the mark of Leuven to bring an end to the fighting that has split the realm of Lucere into east and west. Furious, The Maester of the Snow Elves, Darnell Tassinari checks the contents of the letter and finds that indeed it bears the seal of a man he considers a personal friend. The Snow Elves, furious that they have been betrayed seek council with King Tobias and so Darnell makes plans to travel to Kona to question the Kings intentions. Darnell has his son, Dalzell take over his duties in his stead but before he departs is confronted by his adopted son, Andris Galati that wishes to travel to Kona with him. Darnell insisting that the trip is too dangerous for a teenage child makes a deal with the boy that should he awaken his Will of Fire before he leaves then he can tag along. Andris fails in the task.

### Chapter 1 - The Northern Reaches

The Snow Elf, Darius Tassinari and his half elf friend, Amadeus Galati, travel to the Northern Reaches to investigate whether the world is eroding at it's edge as a result of the climate change that has occurring throughout the realm due to the Sealing of Alchemy event that occured nearly 50 years prior. One year before their expidition they made the same trip with Amadeus's father, Andris where the group planted a wodden stake and a rope to measure how much land, if any was lost and now where back to check its length. During their expedition they are attacked by a horde of the fiends and are saved by the reemergence of dragon. They conclude that indeed their world is seemingly doomed however the sight of the long lost beast brings with it a sense of hope to a world that has lost the source of it's magic.

### Chapter 2 - An Oath Renewed

Leuven's current Maester, Dalzell is giving a lesson on alchemy when he is interrupted by some unexpected visitors. The Prince of Kona, Hadrian and his sister Princess Geraldine come with news that their father, King Tobias has offered sanctuary and refuge off the mountain as worsening conditions due to climate change has made the silver mountains a somewhat uninhabitable place even for a race that prefer to dwell in the cooler tempertures. Dalzell accepts the offer to relocate to the Alpine Garrison but acknowledging he may not have the strength to carry his people into this new era steps down after his last oration to his people as leader. His son Damani succeeds him as the new Maester. Meanwhile Hadrian gifts a young half elf and promising talent, Galiron Galati a special sword and a few words of wisdon to a child who begrudges his upbringing and longs for a more ambitious life with the hopes to live up to the stories he has heard about his legendary father.

### Chapter 3 - The Fiends of Darkness

So begins the Second Snow Elven Migration as Damani leads the Snow Elves away from their ancestral home and through the Mountain Pass. Hadrian speaks to Galiron again and invites him to visit some of his retainers such as the Knights of Cilbaen if a warriors life is what he truely seeks citing that they would be eager to meet the son of Andris Galati. On route, a messenger on horseback arrives and speaks of how the Alpine Garrison has been attacked by fiends and that Karadin, Hadrians brother advises them to turn back. Damani upon hearing that Tobias youngest son, Karadin and Ceres daughter, Astrin is among those stationed at the Garrison ultimatly decides that they cannot be abanoned and rides with Andris and Hadrian to provide assistance. As the carvan halted in the Mountain Pass is left unguarded it is atacked by a few stray fiends and Galiron is forced to step up and use his new sword to protect his mother as he slays several trolls. A goblin chasing Darius forces the nine year old heir to the Maester to flee into the caves. Galirons mother, heavily pregant goes into labour early which is dangerous without the healing waters of the Elvish Glades. Darmani on the viewpoint above the garrison with his archers recieves word that his son has gone missing and he is forced to retreat and return to the ambushed caravan. Hadrian discovers that Karadin has ridden north to try and divert the enemy horde away.

### Chapter 4 - Will of Fire

Darmani returning to the caravan finds the wife of his blood brother has gone into labour and is forced to choose between her and his son. He chooses to put his faith in the Will of Fire to protect his son, the belief that the Tassinari bloodline, the namesake of his family is destined to endure. As he is about to set off Galiron's mother asks will the Will of Fire protect to which Darmani responds that "should the will of fire fail to protect his mother then he certainly will try. Darmani's horse bolts towards the Elvish Glades. Up north Hadrian is reunited with Karadin who having successfully driven the mosters away reveals that it was bloodmagic that spawned such a large number of fiends. Andris comments that the strange behaviour of fiends. questioning when did such rabble lay siege to an encampment.

### Chapter 5 - Legend of the Last Dragon

On their return journey, Darius reveals that this wasn't his first encounter with dragonfire and confides in Amadeus that sixteen years prior on the very day Amadeus was born. Darius had gone missing and was found within a ring of scorched earth that Darmani had mistook for being the "Will of Fire." Darius tells Amadeus that Darmani told him never to tell anyone as he could not face his blood brother with some grand story of how the will of fire saved his son whilst it done nothing to protect Amadeus mother. When they get home Darius tells his grandfather of his findings. Several weeks pass when suddenly in the middle of the night the garrison is attacked by fiends mirroring the event that happened sixteen years prior and a call of help is made. As Damani orders the enemy slain from the ramparts, Andris the legenday warrior that he is chooses to fight outside the wall until even he succumbs to tireness and is forced back in with the fence. It is reaveled that the attack has been orcharstrated by Mateusz as the Atholian army appears in an attempt to lure out the last dragon.

### Chapter 6 - The Old Guard and the New

When Dalzell is hurt the dragon appears to try to protect him before he wills it to flee as fiends casting blood magic that where aniticapting the beast's arrival set to attack it. The Knights of Cilbaen led by General Galiron Galati ansering the call for help arrive at the western gate and a counterattack begins. Galiron unites with his brother and father and the three of them fight together as the Atholians breach the gate. Andris clashes with his half brother, the champion fighter and Prince of Athol Saturoz and drives him back before being ambushed and ultimately slain. With his last breath he delcares his pride in being a Snow Elf from the Silver Peaks. With the dragon fleeing and the unexpected arrival of the Knights of Cilbaen, the Atholian Prince orders a retreat with his captured prisoner Dalzell.

### Chapter 7 - Bloodlines

As the Snow Elves flee west towards Kona. Darmani annouces that some memebers of the party would be stopping at the Elvish Glades to bury their dead. Damani uses this moment to highlight the importance of the healing waters of the elvish glades and how they they must be protected all costs.. Even at the cost of the Maesters own life. Amadeus asks Galiron at their fathers funeral can he join him as a Knight and fight the Atholians together. Galiron declines citing that Amadeus will fight, but as a Snow Elf as his father once did.

### Chapter 8 - A New Hope

Darnell's horse arrives in Kona and unbeknownst to him, against all odds his adopted son had made the journey behind him. Tobias expecting the Maester's arrival has the guards escourt the Snow Elf into the dungeon. Tobias reveals his need for secrecy regarding that he was informed of a cache of the healing water that he believes was taking from the Elvish Glades years prior. He tells Darnell he plans to travel to Athol under the guise of peace with his army so Karadin and a select troop of guards can recover the other barrels amongst the cache. Darnell immeditally sets off for Mount Falaj. Meanwhile Andris entering the city overhears that his Maester has been taken to the dungeon mistakenly believes he is in danger and singlehandly lays siege to the caslte injuring many guards in the process before his rampage is brought to a stop by Prince Hadrian.

### Chapter 9 - The Little Dragoon

Damani urges the King to take the fight to Athol once and for all claiming that if it is a tre peace he truly wants then there can only have it with sacrefice. Darius reveals that any war to come was meaningless in the grand scheme of things and explains his findings at the Nothern Reaches. The King of Kona upon hearing of the news of the dragon entrusts Darius to seek out the last of the Alami for they beasts of magic and once the protectors of the Great Alchemy Stone. The King asks Darius to visit him after the feast where he bestows him with impressive Dragoon armour that he had made hoping to gift to his legendary great grandfather.

### Chapter 10 - Southbound

Darius sets off with Amadeus at his side along with Prince Karadin who with his vast knowlege of Lucere is to act as their guide. It isnt long before they encounter a house that has been attacked by fiends. They see the remnants of a child murdered in it's cot as Darius offers assisstance and encounters a strange woman that asks him mysterious questions, almost as if she is testing his resolve.

### Chapter 11 - The Tiger Queen of Lionsford

The group come across the Tiger Queen, Indra and her Husband the King Baku as the warriors of Lionsford are out on the hunt of fiends. The speak of how their numbers had been decimated in recent weeks due to the strangely hugh number of fiends in the area citing that they had discovered many Hex marks. Baku compliments Amadeus saying its an honour to finally meet the brother of Galiron and son of Andris Galati. Karadin tells the nomadic tribe that they are to be summoned by his father and Indra is able to tell Darius that to find the Alami that they should follow the river in the wetwoods.

### Chapter 12 - Black Snow

Tobias and his son Hadrian enter the city of Athol to speak with Mateusz. As they are led to keep of the Castle, Tobias asks for a moment to visit the building of which he grew up in. Whilst paying his respects to his past he is visited by a strange woman who after an exhange of words touches the King of the west causing him to lose consciousness. As Hadrian awaits he entertains, Andris to the history of the Crucible where they encounter Prince Saturoz who challenges unbeknownst to him his half brother. The blacked hair half elf Andris agrees to a fight of which he quite easily beats and embarrasses the supposed Atholian protégé. Enraged, Saturoz is prevented from harming the outsider as the Tobias and Mateusz appear and they continue to talk the terms of the wests surrender.

### Chapter 13 - The Marshes

As Darius's party traverse a bog Darius complains about the heat of which Amadeus and Karadin find strange. Within the marshes they are attacked by fiends. As Karadins horse bolts it gets stuck in the mud and the Prince refusing to leave his prized but stubborn horse succumbes to the attack. As the fiends turn their mudering eyes on Darius, the Prince orders them run. The dragon appears and once again burns the fiends threating Darius. In the aftermath he hesitantly approaches the dragon and notices how withered and thin one of the beasts legs are. Before he can get a proper look at it however the dragon takes flight leaving Darius to ponder on what he had seen. The pair check for Karadin's body but to no avail as they are forced to continue their journey alone.

### Chapter 14 - The Elemental Beasts

Darius and Amadeus finally reach the woods of which they where told they would find the Alami tribe. Still complaining about the heat Darius collaspes and Amadeus is forced to carry his partner. Amadeus carries him to the river and then proceeds to walk until he has the strength to walk no more. Amadeus is attacked again by fiends as he calls on the strength of his father as he fights against immense numbers. Finally noticing an Alami warrior in the trees above watching on, Amadeus pleads with them to protect his friend.

### Chapter 15 - The King's Demands

Back in Kona, Tobia has summoned all the lords and regional Kings to prepare for war. During the banquet, Nakari warlord of Sovos repeatly insults Maester Damani and the Snow Elves and after several warnings from Galiron proceeds to make a sneer remark about Dalzell who the warlord claims to be rotting in an Atholian cell. Angered, Galiron strikes at Nakari with his sword which is only blocked by Nakaris adoped son in law Angara. As Tobias enters the room he unveils that he has been sick and hiding an illness for sometime and in a rallying speech. He speaks about the consequences of ignoring the threat of Athol and demands those that have sword fealty to him now honour that oath.

### Chapter 16 - The Waters of Life

As Darnell, Karadin and the Alami Cheiftan, having arrived at the location of the cache of the healing waters, Nanook notices that there is a lot less barrels than when he was there prior. It is only when Karadin dips his hand into the barrel of water does Darnell undertsand what the importance as Karadins power whilst under the water is suppressed. He surmises that Matesuz's goal is to flood the Great Alchemy Chamber and cut of magic to the world. As they proceed they hear an explosion higher up on the mountain, the likes they have never seen as the Dragons enraged by the trespassers dragonfire collides with a barrel of the water. Darnell, angered at the waste of such a precious material is carried forward with a determination to stop whatever is happening.

### Chapter 17 - Legacy of the Lost Dragoon

Darius awakes among amonst the Alami settlement within the wetwoods. Unconcious for several days, the fever he had been suffering from was the very same that forced the Snow Elves to migrate away from the Meridian Forest several hundred years ago during the First Snow Elven Migration. It is here is learns from the Alami Chieftan that he has inherited the title of Bloodrider by means of birthright as his great grandfather had formed a pact with a Dragon so strong that it's bond was unbreakable even in death of the rider as long as the Dragoon's bloodline continues. He explains what he seen on the dragons leg and realises the Alami are wearing something similar in their bracelets and belts. Whilst waiting for Darius to recover Amadeus had spent the remaining days training and mastering how to use his Alami blade.

### Chapter 18 - Bound by Blood

Darius is told to use his mind to summon the beast of which he struggles to achieve. Their encounter before has not gone unnoticted and the fiends of darkness uncover and attack the Alami settlement. Whilst the Alami hold of the horde. The Alami delcare they where the protectors of the mountain and thus the dragons as they defend until the last as Darius finally is able to call the beast. The Alami gift Darius an Alami Spear and the chieftan removes his alchemy ring which he presents Darius at the expenese of his own life force before dying in battle as the Snow Elves escape atop the winged beast. As the dragon burns the fiends, there is one barrel of healing waters from the Elvish Glades among the settlement that explodes upon contact giving Darius an idea on how to break the seal on Alchemy and surmises that the Atholian King may fear what the beast is capable off.

### Chapter 19 - Dark Dawn

As the allied forces advanced on the The Silent Valley it is clear that the enemy had been tipped off in advance as it was no coincidence that a large enemy horde lay in wait. Accepting that Nakari had likely indeed betrayed them and that they would not have the numbers of Sovos on their side. Tobias knew it was too late to turn back now and gave a rousing speech that they where fighting a just cause. Galiron and the other battlefield commanders and generals awaited the moment that the fighting would ensue as finally the order came.

### Chapter 20 - The Sealing of Alchemy

As Darnell and an army of Alami warrior's proceed up the mountain, they notice a lot of fiend activity. the Alami cheiftan is able to put up a ward that makes them invisible to the winged beasts above as the trio fight past the fiends until something inconceivable happens. A great efflux of power hits the group that renders the group almost powerless. The chieftan notcing that Darnell has the most vitallty of the group gives the Snow Elf a belt that contains a shard from the orignial Alchemy Stone that when equipped grants him some strength to carry on up the mountain and Karadin orders his men unaffected by the lack of magic to follow him. Without the chieftans ward however they are visable to the dragons but the lack of magic in the world has inflicted them too as Darnell watches on as dragons literally fall from sky only to be butcherd by the fiends laying in wait below. Still he proceeds and notices a nest of young dragons being butchered. Damani fights off the fiends attacking as the horde closes in on their group.

### Chapter 21 - The Battle for Lucere

The battle for Lucere began as the allied forces clasheh with the enemy horde. Dispite their large number, the monsters where in no way comparable to skilled warriors as the fiends where killed in their droves. Still not without casualties Tobias's forces fought with a steely determination. However as the last enemy of the first wave of fiends was slain it was apparent that Nakari and his southern men where to enter the fray as he ordered his adopted son Angara to attack. Angara however was hesitant. Knowing his sister was among those fighting for the light he could not forsake his sister and instead ordered his men that where loyal to him to charge at the second wave of fiends instead. Galiron spurred on my Angara's gallancy rode forward to fight alongside him.

### Chapter 22 - The King's Gambit

With the vanguard of the eastern forces destroyed the main armies of both Aydon and Athol advanced. There numbers as impressive as the mighty warriors amongst their ranks. As the battle came to a standstill, King Mateusz of Athol made his presence known along wth his son as they invited Tobias forward to a talk before the battle ensued. Tobias advanced with Hadrian and Galiron as Mateusz unveiled what he was fighting for, eternal life promised by the sucubus Lilith. Tobias playing his last guard looks at Galiron before unbinding his bandges and proceeds to laugh in the face of the deluded King citing that there is no such thing as eternal life. Mateusz tells Saturosz to cut him down but as he does Galiron strikes down his uncle as Mateusz flees on his horse. As Toibias is dying, a blue horse appears, that of his son Karadin that has survived the marshes. The King tells Galiron that no Kings like is worth any more than any of his loyal subjects as he embraces his sons. He tells them that should the other members of the house of Kona perish to the diease that killed him then perhaps they look to Cilbaen for a man worthy of becoming King.

### Chapter 23 - The Dragon Rider

The allied forces exhausted brace for the incoming wave of the might of the Twin Star when Darius arrives over the horizon on the back of his Dragon. Landing in the middle of the battlefield, he lets Amadeus off who joins his brother as he takes flight once again. A sight for sore eyes, the elation from the allied forces is compounded as the Dragoon above commands the beast to sprew hellfire down that eviscerats the enemy giving the allied forces the respite they had longed for. After several paces throught the sky. Darius knowing the drragon doesnt have much left sets off for Mount Falaj as the Galiron and Amadeus fight side by side once agin

### Chapter 24 - A Hero is Born

One by one the fiends pick off the men of Kona as they try to ascend the mountain. Darnell gets cornered and faces certian death when the young hatchling dragon finds the strengh to reach Darnell and beacons the Snow Elf to climb atop. The winged beast with only the strength to fly for a few moments crash lands at the entrance of the great chamber. Darnell sore from his fall carasses the beast before enters the cavern not knowing what awaits him. Inside he faces off with Lilith the succubus who tells him her story and then easily defeats him. Mortally wounded, Darnell retreats to the exit of the cavern as blood spills behind him. With his last strength he attaches the belt to the hind leg of the Dragon. Whilst their time together was but a mere fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things... the bond they forged in the shared dispair transceded time itself.

### Chapter 25 - The Siege of Athol

As the western army reaches the gates of Athol. Muntiny within the city of Athol means there will be no prolonged siege as the gates open and Tobias's army is welcomed as saviours to a city that has long been ruled by an iron fist. Mateusz knowing his time is numberd flees to the great keep with those still loyal to the King. Whilst looking for Dalzell, Galiron and Amadeus split up to search with each scaling the tower on the search for Dalzell, Damani is stabbed in the back by Nakari as Galiron proceeds to avenge him but not before Angara once again stops his strike. In that moment Nakari thinks that Angara is going to save him but instead Angara turns and strikes his adopted father down himself. Darmani tells Galiron to forget about him and go find his father. Galiron responds by telling Darmani that if the will of fire doesnt protect Dalzell then he will. Upon leaving that tower, Galiron sees his brother from the window below in the Crucible looking upon four of Athols greatest warriors.

### Chapter 26 - The Enemy Resurfaces

Darius lands at the entrance over the great alchemy stone mirroring his ancestor and proceeds to enter the cavern. Inside again he encounters the old woman who he had encountered earlier in his journey. She reveals herself as the shapeshifter Warlock and reveals the rest of her story and her plan to Kill the elves in the Meridian forst out of revenge for what they did to her people and reveals that until every piece of the achemy stone is sealed that she cannot hope to enter the forest of the Wood Elves. Darius knowing what he must do retreads his steps to the cavern entrance where he noticed several spare barrels that had been taken from the Elvish Glades and he begins knocking them over. Just before he tips the last one he notices a dry blooded handprint on it and knowing that was likely the blood of Darnell, proceeds to tip it as well. Noticing he doesnt have time to escape he orders the dragon to spew dragonfire at him that dying was worth it if it meant saving the world. The cavern explodes and the seal on alchemy is unleashed as giant blocks of the alchemy stone rain over the region below.

### Chapter 27 - The Pantheon of Champions

Galiron rushes to join his brother and an epic battle in the iconic Crucible ensues. Amadeus and Galiron show whether they like it or not they are indeed worthy descendants of the legendary warriors, Athol and Aydon as they hold their own against four of Athols champions. Part way through the fight alchmy in the world is restored and Galiron finally awakens his Will of Fire. Revealig the true power of his Alami blade and as runes light up and fire ignites from its edge. After the fight they surround Mateusz, Galiron who had always cared about building his legacy steps aside and lets his brother be the person to finally strike down Mateusz telling Amadeus. It is time for your legend to grow... as a Snow Elf.

**Epilogue**

With Magic now rampant in the world. Amadeus who had travelled to Falaj finds Darius body buried beneath some rocks and realises that he is alive, saved by his Will off Fire. he offers Darius a bracelet as a proposal to become bloodbrothers and Darius accepts. Darius finally frees the dragon from the chain that had binded its leg for close to 50 years and as the weather in the realm improves, he leads the Snow Eles back to their ancestral home of Leuven during the foruth and Final Snow Elven Migration. On route Dalzell gets to see the Silver Mountaisn shine with its renwoned brillance once more as he dies peacefully. Hadrian is crowned King of Kings as Galiron swears fealty as his Royal Guard.

The End.

Or is it...