Wings of Zelia Chapter 1- Prologue
It is the beginning of winter in the 175th year of Eldan rule in the kingdom of Farway. In the southern part of the mainland, the capital city of Eldansturn rises high above the flat coast land and archipelagos it oversees. To the north lies the desert land of Malvie and to the south lies the ice mountains of Barrendunne. A fine afternoon breeze rushes through the capital, sending the many flags and pennants of the kingdom symbol, the crest eagle, sailing with the skies cool gusts. Across the city, the many sounds of children laughing and playing, merchants shouting their wares, and the *clip-clop* of templar horses galloping throught the city traffic, can be heard from any rooftop and high rise window sill. Garius Cincaide, a middle-aged wizard and instructor for spellcasting as well as the art of magician warfare at the capital city school of spells, called Windtrope Academy, peers out his window, studying the slight unwary calmness of the afternoon breeze.
"Such nice weather for bad times..." He sighs almost under his breath. "The calm before the storm, you mean?" says a voice behind him.
"Precisely. How have you been, Lilac?" He asks as he turns to face the woman behind him.
"Uneasy... As you are, no doubt. Have you heard the news from our friend, the monk?" Lilac, a beautiful and young teacher of enchantments, asks. "Not of yet; I believe he is still on his 'pilgrimage' of self-discovery..." Garius states while shaking his head "I will never understand the man"
"You know he follows his own path, Garius, as he always has."
"Well all I know is that he should really settle down. After what he's been through, a man like him should not be off on journeys like his anymore."
"Well a man like him is the reason both of us are still here." Lilac states with a small smirk at the corner of her mouth.
"Yes, I don't doubt that." Garius says "I just wish he wouldn't live so recklessly sometimes"
"You and me both, Garius."
Chapter 1- Barrendunne Ice Mountains