Shadows of the PastDawn lit the eastern sky in shades of pale gold, and the village of Renshollow awoke with a hush of apprehensive whispering. The townspeople's faces were marked with a mixture of terror and wonder as the events of the night before hung heavy over them. Kael Dravorn sat on the well's edge, flipping the pendant in his hands absently, his mind a jumbled mass. The elaborate pattern of the royal emblem that Widow Tarren had recognised appeared to taunt him."The heir apparent?" Kael whispered to himself. The words seemed strange, even ridiculous. How could something as magnificent as a kingdom be connected to a mere farmhand?With his little stature creating a long shadow in the dawn light, Loryn approached warily. With astonished eyes, he questioned, "Kael, are you truly a prince?"Kael laughed without humour. "I no longer know who I am."Loryn didn't have time to reply before they heard hoofs coming. A rider

The Trials of the LightAs Kael, Selene, and the motley crew of travellers prepared their camp, the morning dawned clear and chilly. Every living thing's breath turned to mist in the morning air, and the leaves were covered in frost. The burden on Kael's shoulders was matched by the weight of his thoughts. He couldn't get rid of Seraphine's words or the impending uncertainty of the Trials of the Light, even after their brief companionship the night before.As she fastened the straps on her pack, Selene remarked, "Eldara's ruins are two days' walk from here." Even though her fiery hair was pulled back in a useful braid, her eyes remained piercing. "If there aren't any complications."As the gang started their journey, Kael nodded and stepped into step next to her. Burly and always frowning, Grent complained about the cold but generally kept to himself. Two siblings, Orin and Mira, trailed behind, muttering to each other as they w

Gathering StormThe faint crackle of burnt wood and the distant rustling of the forest were the only sounds to break the unsettling silence that accompanied the dawn. With its formerly lively streets vacant except for the cautious gazes of survivors peeping out from broken windows, Renshollow stood as a shadow of its former self. With silent hurry, Kael and his friends swept through the village, eliciting timid mutterings from those who dared venture outside.With a low but firm voice, Grent declared, "We must fortify this place." "The Shadow Council won't leave much standing if they arrive."With the Blade of Eryndor strapped firmly across his back, Kael nodded. It felt heavier now, not because of the metal, but because of the weight it carried. He looked into the eyes of a small youngster near a burned-out bakery who was holding his mother's hand. The child's terrified expression served as a clear reminder of the da

A Glimmer of Hope Through a layer of grey clouds, the sun reluctantly rose above Renshollow, illuminating the area with weak, diffused light. The formerly prosperous community was now a cemetery of burned-out houses and dashed hopes. Kael stood on the remains of a stone wall that overlooked the village square, the conflict of the night weighing heavily on his mind.Selene came up behind, her footsteps gentle on the charred ground. "The survivors are congregating," she stated, her tone a mixture of exhaustion and resolve. "They are prepared to listen to your thoughts."The Blade of Eryndor glinted dimly in the early light as Kael turned to face her. "Selene, what can I tell them? That this is only the start? That until everything we have battled for is lost, the Shadow Council will not give up?With unflinching green eyes, Selene answered, "You tell them the truth." "Tell them that we stand up for everyone they ha

The Battle of EmberfallThe air crackled with anticipation as Kael gripped the Blade of Eryndor tighter. The great square of Emberfall, which had once been a hive of commerce and joy, was now quiet beneath storm clouds. As the Shadow Council's men gathered on the outskirts, villagers huddled in their houses and peered out from gaps in shuttered windows. Tension hummed like a taut bowstring, and the smell of rain blended with smoke from burning buildings.Kael's friends stood behind him in the middle of the square, their expressions displaying a mixture of fear and resolve. Selene's sharp eyes scanned the horizon as she adjusted the quiver's straps. The runes engraved on the cover of her spellbook glowed dimly when Mira's fingers twitched close to it. Exhaling deeply, as if to brace himself for the impending storm, Grent laid his battle-axe on his shoulder.Orin said, "They're coming," his voice barely above the increasing win