Prologue
“Fate.” The elderly woman rasped, rearranging the potions on the workbench, avoiding my gaze. ” Fate is what binds us all.”
I tried to keep my face neutral, keeping the annoyance from coloring my expression. I had traveled from Ember to Auzaria the land that has peacefully ruled for a thousand years to hear the story of how the two lands came to know such peace with one another. As a child, I had read books and heard stories about the ancient war between our two countries, the mighty clash of two of the most powerful people in our histories. However, none of the stories had reviled the names, the stories of the people involved or the outcome of their fight, only the peace that followed.
After years of searching, I had found a woman who had been there, I did not know who she was only that she could solve the puzzle. Now I found myself at a nice house in the capital of the great nation but have yet to convince her to talk.
“Yes, I’m sure it does, and I’m sorry to bother you, but as I’ve said before I have come a very long way and I wish for you to tell me the story of the people and the war. ”
The woman chuckled, pulling the cowl tighter over her face. ” It seems that you will not let it go until I tell all but are you sure you want to listen to an old woman droning on and on? It is a long story.”
Relief flooded through her. ” Yes. ”
The woman then eased herself down into a rocking chair. ” Then find a seat because I am going to tell you a tale of two princess and their very different lives.”
