{ Prologue }
Perhaps you know of this tale.
No?
Then allow me to give you a few hints.
Once Upon a Time, in a Kingdom filled with sorrow. There lived an orphaned boy. His family had been taken during the plague and he was left to wander the cold world, alone and without comfort.
A poor wood carver took pity on the boy, and made him his apprentice. And by the time the apprentice took over his master's shop, the boy was a man, and he found he had a knack for creating toys.
Like a little pine seed, the talent soon grew into a great craft. The Toymaker's creations spread far and wide, and were considered to be the most incredible mixture of both art and child’s plaything.
On a fateful day, the king came across one of his servant’s children playing with one of the toys. He was bewildered by the craftsmanship, wishing to meet the one behind it; swearing it had to have been created by one of the faye-folk. But to his surprise, a mere mortal man was brought before him.
To reward the Toymaker for his skill, and for bringing such joy to his kingdom; the king gave him a factory, a grand manor, and of course, the hand of his youngest daughter. Together the Toymaker and the princess bore a child of their own. The once orphaned boy soon had all that he could ever desire.
A family.
And they all lived, happily, ever after.
But that would be a lie… wouldn't it.
