The sounds were deafening, almost a wall of noise pushing through the streets of
Celest. Trumpets blared out a martial melody, while children ran screaming and
yelling through the alleyways of the outer city. It was a day to beat all other
days, a day these children would remember for the rest of their lives, and tell
their children, and their children's children.

If they lived that long.

I remember that day. At six years of age, my primary love of life was running
around dreaming of being a great warrior. Wooden sword in hand, I slashed at the
enemies of Celest with a pounce and a shrill cry of rage at my hidden foes. My
mother, a laundrywoman for a minor nobleman, worked tirelessly so that I might
enter into the academy upon my eighth birthday. I never knew my father, so never
missed him. Oh, I suppose I watched other fathers and their children with a bit
of envy, but who misses what they've never had?

Lunch time. Yes, that was it. I had stopped at home for a small bowl of chicken
soup before heading back out to slay snowcats and dark figures in the alleys
near my house.

"Arnas, you better behave out there! I heard from the ship captains about your
sneaking onboard and hiding within the cargo!"

I sighed. Older sisters were nothing but trouble, especially when they thought
they had caught you at something.

"Yes, sister!" I yelled, as I ran out towards the shipyard. climbing a ladder
leaned against the boat, I shimmied up and hid amongst the crates, looking for
adventure on the Crystal Sea. Dodging sailors as they carried chests here and
there, I hid behind a pile of silken tapestries, and looked out upon the sea. In
the distance, several ships approached Celest, with the Emperor of Magnagora's
in the lead. I wouldn't miss this for the world! Climbing out, I fell down the
rigging and onto the dock to watch them.

As I watched, the ships started to lean. First one way, then the other, each
ship almost literally turned over in the water and sank. I saw armoured 'guard
jumping from the ships, each pulled to their deaths by the very armour they had
trusted with their lives. From the prow of the main ship jumped a large raven it
seemed, carrying two large riders! The Emperor had been saved by some dark
skinned woman! I ran down to the centre of the city, where Princess Marilynth
seemed to have been waiting to greet her father. As she waded into the Pool of
Stars, I ran to her, not entirely sure why she was taking a bath at such an odd
time, and fully clothed at that.

"Princess!" I yelled. "Look, your father is safe!"

With a gasp, she turned to me.

"NO!" She screamed, as a white flashed enveloped us. Before I succumbed to
whatever force struck me down, I saw her start glowing some sort of vibrant
white light. Suddenly, I blacked out, and saw no more.

With a start, I awoke cold and alone. Not entirely sure what was going on, I
started sniffling and looked around for my mother. The nearby buildings were
dark and burned, and the stench of blood was in the air. I wandered for days,
never seeming to need food or rest, my only thought for my mother, or sister, or
ANYONE I knew. In the distance, I spied a priest stepping off a small boat
marked with the crest of Magnagora. Finally, someone to help me!

"I'm lost and can't find my mommy!" I cried, as I approached the young
priestess. She smiled within the cowl of her robe and came to me.

"Young one, would you like some chicken soup?" she said, and smiled thinly.

I grinned. chicken soup was my favorite, and I told her so.

Lowering her hood, she grinned back at me with a fanged smile. What was she?
Not a merian, not....

She smiled as well, and raised her symbol high above my head. "Yes," she
intoned. "I enjoy chicken soup as well."