The Legend:
Kauria's Dream

The messenger, they found out, had run straight through Crowns and to Ajir Palace after spotting the enemy's approach. It was a miracle he still lived.

General Cran watched the horizon for the enemy at a palace tower. His eyes narrowed, imagining he could make out the form of an enemy camp. Beside him, the king did the same.

"He just stopped at the border, sire," he informed the king. "Henison was the first, and only, scout to come back; probably an enemy attempt to try and taunt us." Cran shook his head, doubting his own words. "The few Carullian survivors say he swoop in like a bird, using Dark Magic to defeat the people before they knew what happened. The Royal family barely had time to go into hiding." Cran stared into the distance. "But now he just sits."

The king nodded. "Why does he do this?" He continued to gaze at the horizon. He could barely distinguish his own military camp. "What does he want?"

The answer came from the doorway. "It could be the pendant." Aralia stood there. "He knows we have it. That's why he's left us until the last. To intimidate us into giving up. Or give it up." She looked to Cran. "Lt. Henison is recovering. He was badly shaken up, but he looks well."

"Thank you, your Highness," Cran replied. "Do you really believe it's your pendant he wants? Why not just invade and then take?"

The king answered this question. "He fears it, maybe. It just may have the power to defeat him, or at least he thinks it does." Hope returned to the monarch.

Cran was wary. "But we don't even know how to use it!" "He may not know that," the princess pointed out. "Everything will turn out right, Cran. Just have faith." She exited the tower on these words. Cran turned to the king.

"I'd better get to my army. We must be prepared, just in case."

"Go, then, General. And warn of any change in the enemy." Cran left, and the king turned back to the dismal view of the horizon, wondering what he was to do...