She slowly opened her eyes, the sound of the ocean and burning wood surrounded her. Looking down, her shirt had been torn open and was drenched in her own blood. A large scare laid across her chest.

Placing a hand over the scar, it began to glow and a strange voice boomed in her head. "If you would face me." It startled her and she looked around the room. "Take up arms, newly Arisen." Pushing herself up, she took her scalding razors and magic bow, changed her clothes andwalked out of the hut.

"Oh good!" a woman called. "You're finally awake!"

"Olra, what happened here?" she asked.

"You do not remember? Hmm." Olra turned away. "A dragon came. You tried to fight it off, but it knocked you unconscious. Stole your right, right from your chest. You my dear, are Arisen."

"Arisen? Like from the books? Is that why you had me study the legends of the Arisen? You knew I was to become one?"

"Yes and no. I did not know you were to become Arisen. But..."

"But?"

"I had my suspicions. Only the Arisen can see me, can step foot on this island."

"But I was born here, wasn't I?" Olra hesitated. "Wasn't I?"

"No," she replied. "You were brought here nineteen years ago by a man. Lowered you down from the ship and left you. I found you and took you in. Raised you as my own."

"Molded me into a warrior."

"It's only been a year since the dragon last came."

"Well what should I do, Olra? I don't know how to an Arisen?"

"The last Arisen hailed from Cassardis. You should start there. I can take you there tonight."

"Are you not coming with me? I need you, Olra."

"You've done well on your own, dear Arisen. You've mastered the art of magical archery and are a very fine hunter and strong young woman. You will do well on your own. And maybe along the way you will meet a suitable husband."

"Olra!"

They both laughed.

"I grew up on this island. Its been you and me for nineteen years."

"And we both know you were destine for greater things my darling. It will be hard to see you go. But come, I will take to Cassardis. From there you will make your way across Gransys and fulfill your role as Arisen. When we get there, seek out and speak to a woman named Quina. She will help you."

The Arisen hugged Olra. "Thank you. For everything. I'll be back one day to get you. I'll take you away from this hellish island. And you're right, maybe I will find someone In Gransys. I'll keep an open mind."

The two headed off for the shining shores of Cassardis.

The locals stared as the ship docked and the Arisen stepped ashore. She made her way right to the inn.

"'Ello, how can I help ya?" Pablos asked.

"I'm looking for a woman by the name of Quina," the Arisen replied. "Where can I find her?"

"The chiefs daughter? What do you need with her?"

"Just answer my question."

"Might I... Might I know you?" came a small voice.

The Arisen turned around. A small pale girl stood behind her with long black hair and dark eyes.

"And who might you be?"

"My name is Selene. I live in the home of the previous Arisen, who was from here. You seem oddly familiar."

"I don't see how, I'm not from around here. So you're Selene? Meaning the witch of the woods?"

"You are Arisen."

"How did you.. Witch of the woods. Right. Look, I'm looking for.."

"Quina," Selene cut in. "She can't help you.."

"Well you were a lot of help, so thanks."

"But I know someone that can. Come with me."

Selene took the Arisens hand and led her out of the inn. Stepping up to a strange stone that began to glow as the approached. Selene motioned to the stone.

"This is called a rift stone. Walk up to it."

As she approached it a voice emanated from it. "Well met Arisen, can you hear our voice?"

"Yes?"

"You sound confused."

"I'm talking to a rock."

"We are of a different dimension. We are of the Pawn legion. A follower will be given to you. To follow and protect you."

A black cloud appeared behind her and a man fell out of it. He was an elf. His hair was jet black and red eyes. Two more appeared, a girl strider and a male mage. They looked at the Arisen and raised their hand. A symbol glew on their hand, then knelt.

The elf spoke. "Our fealty is sworn to you Arisen. From this day, the legions men called Pawns live and die by your command."

They all bowed their heads.

"What are your names?" she asked.

The girl stood up, "Mellyssa."

The man arose, "Duccio."

The Arisen looked at the elf. "And you?"

"I am your companion of old. I do not have a name. You are to name me. Call me whatever you like."

She laughed. "Be careful when you say that angel face." She looked him all around. "Riven. That's what I'll name you."

"'Tis a fine name, indeed."

"Come master," Mellyssa urged. "We should head to the encampment. A woman by the name of Mercedes has aided me in the past."

"Where you all past Arisens pawns?" she asked.

"We are," Duccio answered. "We are from the Arisens before you."

"The duke of Gransys was once Arisen," Riven informed. "Slew the dragon a year ago, he says."

"If the dragon was slain, then how did it steal my heart?" the Arisen asked. "I mean if its dead already."

"A fine point," Mel said. "We'll make for Gran Soren after we speak with Mercedes."

"And where is that exactly?"

Riven pointed to the road ahead. "'Tis but a straight shot. Best stay on the roads, 'tis safer then the brush. But best stay weary."

The four headed north. It wasn't long before the encampment was in sight. Riven walked up next to his master.

"Your voice is different. Are you not from here?"

"No," she replied. "I was raised on an island off the coast of Cassardis."

"Do you plan on going back?"

"Honestly?" She sped up a little, "I hope I never see those shores again."

"We're here!" Duccio exclaimed.

"Thank you captain obvious."

There was a growl behind them, and a large thump. Slowly turning around, a large lion stood before them.

"Kimera!" Mel yelled.

The pawns scattered and the Arisen held her bow. An ice arrow appeared as it looked like she was holding it. Duccio hacked off the snake as Riven and Mel focused on the goat head. The Arisen fired arrow after arrow of ice and lightning and fire. Mel stabbed her dagger into the skull and the lion fell. Voices arose behind them and the enlistment corps was outside the encampment. A woman and her men looked on in ah.

"I am impressed," the woman said. Her men ran past her to the felled Kimera. She walked up to the Arisen. "I am Mercedes, of the enlistment corps. Who are you?"

"I'm the Arisen, apparently. I seek out the duke of Gransys. I head he was Arisen once before. I don't know what it means to be Arisen, and I wish guidance."

"I'll tell you what, make a gift of this Kimera, and he just might even knight you. Meet me in the fountain square of Gran Soren tomorrow afternoon. I will bring this fine gift to the duke. Pray, sujorn in the encampment at your leasure." She turned to her men. "To the capital men! March!"

The Arisen looked around the camp. A dark haired male looked at her and smiled sweetly.

"Ever a pleasure," he said.

"Pleasure is all mine," she smiled. "And you are?"

"Reynard is the name. Traveling peddler is my game. You my dear are Arisen, but you are not dressed properly. If you'd please come with me."

She looked over at Riven, and he nodded. A few minutes later, the Arisen emerged. Reynard had dressed her in fine red leather armor and glove, with a red cape and sultry cowl. Complete with an ancient gold circlet. He handed the same circlet to Riven.

"For master and pawn," he said placing the circlet on Rivens head. "So shall the world know you two bond."

"Thank you, ser Reynard," he thanked. "Come Arisen, we must head for Gran Soren and meet again with Mercedes."

"Yes." She turned to Reynard as she walked and tossed him a coin pouch. "Thanks for the armor."

"Perhaps we will meet again, my dear," he assured. "Within the walls of Gran Soren."

She turned back and her pawns led her up the hillside towards the capital. Greeted by wolf packs, goblin hordes and bandits. None to which could slow them down. They met with ser Jerrome and ser Ronell, who sent them on their way down the Manamia Trail. Harpies plagued the path along with more wolves and goblins. But with the help of her pawns, they all made it safely to the walls of Gran Soren itself. Mercedes stood in the fountain square, just as she had said.

"The duke was impressed by the felled Kimera," she informed the Arisen. "I will return to the castle and have word sent for you friend."

Riven motioned to the inn. "This inn could serve as the hub of our journey. Shall we rest Arisen?"

"We shall. Lets start back up in the morning."

An older man waited outside then inn for the Arisen to wake, greeting her a good morning.

"My name is Mason, if you please. I hear that you are Arisen."

"You've heard correct then. Can I help you with something?"

"More of I can help you."

"I'm listening."

He pointed to an underpass, "Inside there lays the Pawn Guild. Speak to the guild master Barnaby. He can tell you more of the pawns."

She nodded and they all headed for the guild. A small brown haired man stood in the doorway to the guild.

"You." He pointed at the Arisen. "I know why you are here."

"Do you?"

"You wish to know aught of the Pawn Guild." He led them inside the hut. "The pawn legion are without self, void of any independent will. We bear no desires, no ambition...naught which impels human kind to aggrandize the self. And so human kind has taken to using us, else shunning us entirely. But always making a clear distinction between our kind and theirs. Some of our number have suffered terribly at the hand if man...but even such abuses rouse no hate, no rage within us, for there is not to rouse for good or ill. All pawns carry a glowing scar upon their hand that corresponds to the scar upon an Arisen's chest. Other than the scar, Pawns look human physically, the difference being that they neither age nor truly die; they lack any sort of real emotion and willpower."

"Can a pawn ever live as a human? I mean, what if I were to die? What happens to Riven?"

"To that, we do not have an answer."

"Master," Mel called. "A man approaches."

A Gran Soren knight ran up to the Arisen and saluted her. "A word, ser. Ser Maximillion requested your direct presents."

"Thank you, I'll go right way."

"There's a gate on the other side that will take us straight to the castle master," Duccio said. "Best we head there now."

Duccio led her right to the knight. He to saluted her.

"The duke has granted you an audience," he said. "Although your.. Followers, must stay out here."

"Very well," she said heading to the gate, "Thank you."

She disappeared behind the castle gates. The knights outside the castle doors informed her to wait until summoned. She wondered the gardens for a good hour. Someone cleared their throat behind her, startling her. She whirled around and removed her hood and mask. A tall blond man stood behind her.

"Are you the one to summon me to the duke?" she asked.

"No." His accent was different from the others. "I wasn't sure who you were and what you are doing here. But now I see you are the Arisen."

"Does everyone know?"

The man laughed. "Word travels fast. But to see a face astaire the castle walls as beautiful as yours, 'tis but hard not to approach you."

She blushed, "Oh? Well, thank you. I didn't quite catch your name."

"How rude of me." He bowed, "I am one, Lord Julien."

"Wait.. THE Lord Julien? As in the Nights Champion of Salvation? The one who rose against the duke and worked sedition against the dukes men?"

"Ah, so you've heard. Please, just call me Julien."

"Word travels fast of a traitor in the castle."

Julien ran his hand through his hair and chuckled nervously.

"I don't think of you as a traitor. Duke Edmund Dragonsbane was a menace. Don't think anything you did was wrong."

"But it did get me killed. then revived and imprisoned."

"And its a year later and are again an honored knight of the new dukes court. That has to mean something, right?"

"I guess you are right."

Another knight came up to the two of them.

"The duke is ready for you Arisen," he said.

She looked over at Julien, "I'll catch you later.. Julien."

And she made her way through the doors of the duke demesne.