Prologue

King Azaric the 5th looked over the letter of surrender that the Dark Empire had sent. Twenty years to decided if Kirth becomes a part of the Dark Empire by war or by choice. Azaric knew that the dark empire was in war with the Tomerics and could not start a war know. He cast the letter aside for later, hoping later never came. While the king read over the letter, miles away in a small cottage hidden the woods, a woman was giving birth. Cassansa screamed as she pushed her child out, her husband Elgar waiting outside the room with the other children. Elgar didn't like the fact that this child was being born at the darkest part of the night but you cannot fight fate. He then looked up to see the moon and stars hidden by the clouds. The midwife enters the room, a baby in her arms. His son's, Lars and Edgar,wife said handing were waiting as well.

"Congratulations, Elgar, you have a daughter. Cassansa is going to be fine. She shouldn't have children for at least two years. The twins are five now so that's good. She's beautiful." The midwife said handing the baby to Elgar. Elgar looked up on a little face, so peaceful and serene, and was amazed. She had blue eyes. A rare trait in his family. He smiled at the baby.

"Little one, you need a name. My mother was named Rhynersnia so I will name you Rhynea. Lars, Edgar, come meet your baby sister. Rhynea Sarlgin." Elgar said, showing the baby to the boys.

"Why is the baby so little? Momma's belly was big so the baby should be big." Lars said. Edgar spoke.

"The baby had to move around so Momma needed to grow a big belly." Edgar said. Elgar shushed them as the baby looked with wonderment at them.

"Elgar, bring my babies to me." Cassansa called. Elgar did bring his children to his elven wife. As Elgar was human and Cassansa elven, they had to leave their homelands behind or face death. Elgar had ran to the deepest mountain forest he could with his wife. They had resided here for six years now. Most here we're outcasts as well so there were no major threats. Cassansa was happy here. Suddenly, a knock sounded in the door. Elgar opened it to reveal a very old man.

"Seer Tomas, what are you doing here this late? Please come in." Elgar said. The old man entered the room, his steps quick and light. He entered the room where Cassansa and the children were.

"Welcome, Seer. Have you come to read our daughters future?" Cassansa asked.

"Yes, Cassansa. I read your sons and now I will read your daughters. May I?" Tomas asked. Cassansa handed her daughter to the seer. Tomas looked down into the blue eyes and was amazed. The child's eyes were an unusual blue,like a blazing flame. Suddenly, his eyes whited over and a voice spoke to him.

"Tomas, what tell you now only your ears can hear. This child is going to be important to the world upon her 20th birthday. You must guard her at all costs. Tell no one." The voice said to Tomas. Tomas spoke.

"Master, I cannot lie to her family." Tomas said.

"Tell them that she will bring joy to her family. Upon her 20th year, I will guide her to her destiny." The voice said. Tomas nodded. Tomas blinked his eyes clear.

"Seer Tomas?" Elgar said.

"Your daughter is to bring great joy. A truly wonderful child." Tomas said. Cassansa smiled. Elgar smiled.

"Girls are boring." the twins said. The adults laughed. Tomas left the happy family. He walked towards his own little home, his mind racing. He was thinking of the words that Catrina the Great Oracle had said to him. Such child are hunted and sold. The Outcasts hid here until the greed of some became too great. This oasis was well hidden and protected thanks to Catrina's powers. The dark empire had already sent the letter giving the king twenty years to surrender or submit. Catrina had predicted this but the king was a proud man who thought oracles were just women taking money. Tomas looked up on the sky. The dark empire would take the world if they reigned unchecked. If only someone could find the Soulflame. Tomas thought as he entered his home. In a temple near the capital city Kir, Catrina looked upon the same stars. Tonight was the first night that the stars were hidden. This was not natural. Catrina had cast a spell to hide the stars as she and she alone knew the meaning of the Pola star aligning with the moon. She had been told years ago by the last Oracle.

"Catrina, upon the date of the letter being given to the king, the one we seek shall be born. The Pola stars and moon must not appear in the sky as the dark ones watch it as well." The Oracle had said before Catrina had taken the mantle. Catrina looked the Crag Mountains for beyond it lay the dark empire and it's ruler. The Bloodletter King Dacras, cold hearted and cruel. The soldiers either feared or supported him. Women were used like breeding stock if the met the standards. Those who did not were enslaved to work for the masters. Those taken could not kill themselves as they would be enchanted to obey. Catrina's heart hurt for the innocent ones. She could only pray that the time passed quietly because she knew it would pass swiftly. Over the Crag Mountains, in the Dark Empire's capital Uskanta, an old crone looked at the dark night sky. Her disperse spell had not worked.

"Hag! What good are you?! I want the sky clear." A man roared. The hag chuckled.

"It's no use, my emperor, these are natural occuring clouds. My spell only works on clouds that are magic. The Pola star is hidden by nature tonight so you need not fear the prophecy yet." The hag said. A man, his broad face flat and criss crossed with scars, looked upon the hag coldly.

"So that Oracle lied!!!" The man said. The hag looked solemn.

"No one can predict the weather. The Pola star is hidden . Tomorrow night, it will be clear. If the position has changed, then we hunt." Another man hissed. The emperor Dacras gripped his axe hard.

"Very well. We have to fight the usurpers from the north for now. If the hag says it's hidden, it's hidden." Dacras said. The hag left as she knew that was her cue to leave. The other crackled.

"Can I keep one for my pet?" The man said. Dacras smiled.

"Of course, Slither, and I need more breeders! And as for the prophecy, it's all stupid. Some Oracle if they can't even predict the weather. Good thing we ended her career. Hahahahahaha!" Dacras roared as he left the area to go to camp. The hag hurried to her tent. The spell would work until the morning. She had added the part about Pola moving. She had once had a family, a daughter and two beautiful golden haired granddaughters. Dacras and his men swooped upon her village like locusts on crops. Her daughter was dead at the hands of Slither and her granddaughters had been taken to breed. She had been in the woods, collecting stones. The men took her for a crone. She watched as her daughters body was burned with the others. She looked for her granddaughters to rescue them but they had already died from the torture. She then swore revenge upon Dacras and all his evil. She has lied about her spell not working. It had made the sky a touch darker and tomorrow the Pola star will be in the west as always. Soon the dark empire will come crashing down and Dacras with it.