Prologue
Welcome back to Dilos.
(Assuming this is a return having read the first two novels; ‘Children of Destiny’ and ‘Drums of War’. If not, may I strongly suggest reading them first.)
Kalebra’s plan was to draw their forces apart, take the city of Sharazon, and destroy all resistance. However, his spies failed to find and report the secret entrance to the city, and he greatly underestimating the strength and the unity of The Alliance. Maintaining his war of attrition, he and his wizard Mordach drew the war out dealing a great hurt upon the land. Most puzzling to the Alliance, was Kalebra’s apparent willingness to sacrifice so many of his troops in ill-conceived attacks, and their willingness to readily sacrifice themselves. Their defeat was nowhere near simple, nor easy. Not until the capture of the Dark Fortress were the true details of their dark plan on the zenith of ‘The Winter Moon’ revealed.
With Shandon’s victory over Kalebra, Bo’s defeat of Mordach, and all magical barriers and spells banished and set to right, the land and her peoples embarked on the path toward healing. Madra’s rangers continued to pursue the scattered survivors of the dark minion that refused to conform. Reports of renegade bands of Ex-Kalebric warriors were unsettling to say the least. Roaming the outlands preying on travelers and distant settlements, they became a serious problem. This opened opportunities for others from the freed ranks as rangers and bounty hunters in pursuit of this new criminal element.
The year of 1559 D.C. started with great hope. Life sprang anew in Dillosia as spring gave way to the warmer days of summer. Some light flooding occurred swamping out a few of the lower fields and settlements, though by fall, Mount Vulca settled to a more docile activity bringing the thirsty land a steady supply of liquid life. Crops grew as though striving by conscious will to make up for the years when they struggled just to break through the soil. The animals released into Westwood and the forests about the Peaks of Delcor began to prosper as well. Only one stillbirth among the stock occurred that spring, and the people were gifted with eight healthy births throughout the year.
Lake Retowna also changed as its waters returned, and by summer’s end would rise to topping its banks. The River Alnie, which was its outlet and dry for many years, was flowing again in its bed. Fish were returning to the rivers and spawning in the streambeds, though their numbers were not yet sufficient for removing the restrictions Madra placed on their harvest. The greatest measurable change came at harvest with crop yields that had not been seen for years.
The festivals were less elaborate than most would have liked, but with all that was needed to support the changes their land was now going through, there was little time or resources for grand celebrations. The Buronan, Carthinan, and Assinan had their problems, but nothing as severe as some of the other realms. The least effected were the Sieare of the Great Desert, who readily returned to their nomadic life.
The year after the war was a good one for Dillosia, as well most of Dilos. Long days of hard work brought her back from the edge of a gasping death. People began to travel again plying their wears and trade goods, despite the danger of bandits. Given the task of rebuilding what the war destroyed and everyday labors of making a livelihood, travelers to Dillosia were few. For the most part it was encouraging.
