There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?"

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold peices that madman Silus had demanded to play his part.

(RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!)

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it wern't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffe is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!"he shouted to his comrades.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured. The king had obviously discovered their plans, and know the entire royal army was sent after them.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured. The king had obviously discovered their plans, and know the entire royal army was sent after them. Renshaw said "Follow me!" as he led his comrades into the forest to go to Milriva's house, for that was their only chance of losing the king's men.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured. The king had obviously discovered their plans, and know the entire royal army was sent after them. Renshaw said "Follow me!" as he led his comrades into the forest to go to Milriva's house, for that was their only chance of losing the king's men. However, he knew he would have a lot of explaining to do, but he didn't know if he would have enough time before the king finally sent a messenger to the house looking for Vilona.

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured. The king had obviously discovered their plans, and know the entire royal army was sent after them. Renshaw said "Follow me!" as he led his comrades into the forest to go to Milriva's house, for that was their only chance of losing the king's men. However, he knew he would have a lot of explaining to do, but he didn't know if he would have enough time before the king finally sent a messenger to the house looking for Vilona.

All of a sudden, all of the King's men that were in sight were dead;all of the carnage was caused by a single girl, "My name is Deana".

Note: Her name is pronounced "Dee anna"

There's a house that lies beside a river, and in this house there lives a man by the name of Milriva. Some considered Milriva a poor fisherman, but he was always happy and full of life, which made the nearby villagers jealous. But one girl in the village was interested, why this simple fisherman was so happy and full of life. She decided, one day, to visit Milriva and ask him. The way from the village to the house is rather long, and covered by beautiful flowers on the side of the road, it was remarkably well kept compared to the village.

But the other villagers didn't like the idea that this girl would find that Milriva's way may be better then theirs and leave them, so they sent a messenger to the king asking for his advice as they always hoped that he would marry her, as he had shown much interest in her beauty. The king received this well, and sent the messenger back to seek the girl. Meanwhile the girl had arrived at the house, she knocked on the door and then opened it slightly as she noticed that it was unlocked.

From the dark shadows in the cottage arose a sound most foul, like nails on a chalkboard, along with a smell like rotting flesh. A different man, hideous and old, was shrieking about something that the girl couldn't understand. The girl drew closer to the man, and asked him why he was shrieking; wasn't he the one everyone has said to be full of life and happiness?

Suddenly, he drew a large butchers knife from behind his back, screaming at her, "Tianna, why did you betray me to this fisherman?!". He loomed towards her and raised the butcher knife, but before he could swing it down onto her head the front door flew open and a powerful yet gentle voice could be heard, "There will be no slaying inside of my house".

This man threw a harpoon at the man with the knife, hitting it out of his hand. The man screamed in agony, and with a white flash of rage, he lunged towards the newcomer, attacking him ferociously. As he attacked, the newcomer took a short dagger from a sheath hidden in the long, flowing cloak that he wore, and calmly began to block the man's attack.

Suddenly outside the cottage there was a sound like giant wings, and a ball of flame came bursting through the side of the wall, melting everything in its path. The attacker rebounded in fear, and as he crouched in terror, the great flame disappeared, and he realized it was an illusion, weaved by the cloaked man. The cloaked man glared at the attacker, he spoke up, this time in a threatening voice "The next one won't be an illusion, I suggest you leave my property.".

As the attacker quickly escapes through the half-open door, the cloaked man approaches the cowering girl, and as he takes her hand, asks her, "Hello, my dear, my name is Milriva, are you hurt?" She grabs his hand and slowly raises herself to standing. "I... I'm fine.... He didn't do anything to me..." the man quickly responded "But he was planning to, and that is a sin I can't forgive. So, does this adorable young lady have a name?". But before the girl could respond, there was a loud knocking at the door and a voice could be heard saying, "Open this door in the name of the king."

"Oh, I have a feeling that we'll have to hide you my dear." Milriva said as he carefully shoved the girl towards a door, he waited for her to walk through it and then opened the front door for whoever was knocking on it. Beside the lake stood a man, resplendent in his shining armour, standing next to a horse that, if he hadn't known better, Milriva would have sworn was kin to the drakein of West Urseos. The man spoke, "Greetings fisherman, I'm told that a young lady should have come here whom the king wishes to see; I ask, have you seen her?"

"No, I have not", replied Milriva, "but, curious thought, why would the King wish to see a common girl?" "The reason is not necessary for you to know, just tell me if you may have any idea where she is." "Trust me, if I had any idea then I would be out trying to woo her over instead of talking to you."

Just then the armoured man drew his sword to show the crest proving that he was a knight of the five storm seals, which Milriva recognised instantly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "If you lie to me my good man then I shall have to call the beasts of Lauribya to rend the flesh from your back." Milriva just sighed and said "Now, good knight, why would I have any reason to lie to you? If the king wishes to see a girl, so be it. I have no interest in such matters."

"Very well then, but if I find out that you are lying..." the man left knowing that he had made his point clear. Milriva went inside again and poured himself and the visitor some coffee, "Might I suggest that you leave my bed room and come back in here for a cup of coffee my dear?" he said towards the door the girl had entered.

"Sure, I guess...so anyway, where did we leave off?". "You'll find it easier to speak to me if you first walk trough the door my dear." Milriva said, upon hearing this the girl proceeded to open the door and walk trough, a little flustered by the awkwardness in the situation. She goes to sit down at the nearby table, as Milriva comes with 2 cups of steamy coffee. "So," begins Milriva, "My dear, why could the King himself be out on the lookout for you?"

"I do not know kind sir" she said as she took the steaming beverage "just as I dont know why that strange man called me Tianna. But it is a name that sounds familiar to me, yet I do not know why". "Well now I know that you're not named Tianna, but I'd like you to be more specific." The man said as he calmly drank his coffee. The girl on the other end of the table drank a little from her cup, but quickly got a frowning expression "Augh, this drink is rather... Bad. Anyways, my name is Vilona, I come from the nearby village." Milriva, slightly embarrassed, replied "I am sorry, my dear, the coffee is a tad old for I have not had much luck with the fish lately, but a drink is a drink. Just curious my dear, but why did you venture here in the first place?". She blinks a little "Oh... I wanted to know why you seem to be so happy, despite your life being so simple" she shows of a weak smile.

Milriva chuckles and says, "My dear, my life, simple? No. I just enjoy what I have been given! Can't you see? We've been born! Every morning I wake up and I am greeted by the shining rays of the sun!" "And that really is enough for you...I mean, you don't feel like you need more?" "Life is fickle, my dear, I just follow the wind, and I am perfectly happy and content with whatever it gives me", replied Milriva. Vilona was almost in shock; she had never known anyone to be so happy with so little before.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, first of the five storm seal knights, rode through the forest at a breakneck pace, barely containing his rage at the thought that his plan had failed to such a great extent, despite all those nights of planning and gold pieces that madman Silus had demanded to play his part. Now there was a big chance that the king's messenger would come there, and his plan on keeping the girl from the king would be all for nothing.

You see, Renshaw despised the king and most of the royal family. If it weren't for the twist of fate that had his father, the duke, removed from power, it would be Renshaw on the throne instead and not that fool who would rather chase after farm girls then secure the country. In fact, he now wanted to change the entire government to one that was more people friendly. As a matter of fact, Renshaw was planning a rebellion against the throne. He rode back towards the capital city, ready to meet the other storm seal knights, who had also grown hatred towards the king. They were like a squad of angry children, whining at the higher-ups, but for good reason. He reached the city and found the rest of the knights waiting at a quiet tavern.

When Renshaw got close enough to the knights, he saw that assassins were sneaking up on them,"Behind you!" he shouted to his comrades. Being as skilled as they were, low grade assassins were no match for the knights. However, in that moment, a row of arrows were shot at the knights and 2 of them were killed, but the other 3, including Renshaw, were only injured. The king had obviously discovered their plans, and know the entire royal army was sent after them. Renshaw said "Follow me!" as he led his comrades into the forest to go to Milriva's house, for that was their only chance of losing the king's men. However, he knew he would have a lot of explaining to do, but he didn't know if he would have enough time before the king finally sent a messenger to the house looking for Vilona.

Having run through the thick woods to lose the men, the knights finally arrived at Milriva's house and Renshaw knocked on the door.

(sorry Ras; not only did they already lose sight of the king's men as they ran into the forest, but that's just a little too ridiculous for a serious story)