Chapter One
Julianna wondered alone through the temple of the mother goddess. It had been a long time since she had returned to the city. She spent most of her time wondering through the many forests that encircled Tortell, and visiting the many inns in the smaller villages. A young man from the village of Candle Keep had asked her to return to Chorus with him. They were ambushed on the way and he did not survive.
FLASHBACK
A flash of lightning illuminated the group of rouges that had surrounded them
"I'll fight them Juli! Leave follow the main western road to Chorus!"
"No I won't leave you!"
"Please, I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm not going we can fight them together."
"No, go. I love you too much."
Juli hugged him tightly and the kissed before she turned and fled leaving the man she loved behind, knowing that she would never see him again. Tears streaming down her face, she ran for a while then stopped, thinking NO, I'll go back and fight. I have to fight.
Juli ran hard back to the clearing, the rouges were gone and there in the middle of the clearing illuminated once again was the limp body of her love. She ran and collapsed at his side hugging his body tightly.
"Oh God's don't let this be true! You can't leave me I can't go on without you."
"Juli" he gasped Juli looked down at his bruised face. "Juli, by the God's I thought I would go without you by my side. Listen to me; mention my name only to the Prince, no one else must know anything about…" he winced "this. Understand?"
"Yes, don't worry I'll heal you you'll be ok" Juli place her hands over his heart and deep blue fire spread over his body.
"Stop, I know it is too late for me, save your strength. Leave this place they will no doubt return."
With a final flash of lightning the brilliant white light lit their two bodies entwined as one.
"I love you!" he whispered, closing his eyes for the last time.
"And I you." She kissed him on the forehead a lone tear running down her face and landing in his chest which was accompanied by the droplets of rain which now fell thick and fast.
END FLASHBACK
Julianna left the temple after leaving a bunch of wild flowers as an offering. Every day since the death of her beloved she had left offerings for the Black God in the smaller communities that she passed on her way to Chorus, in the hope that they would look after him as she would have done so.
The chilly winter wind blew her along on her journey to the palace where she hoped to find the Prince and explain about the ambush. The chill was so cold, Juli had to duck into a near by inn before she froze to death.