Prologue: Nightfall

Night was falling on the city of Lamasinia, nestled in the heart of the great Silverglade forest. Kilavill, the great river, whose source was in the mountains forming the southern border of Springland, flowed past the city on its race to the Ocean of Light, to the north.

King Shylo and Queen Marissa made their way through the palace overlooking the city towards the nursery, eager to spend time with their children after a long and busy day. Baby Silvana, who was barely two, and little Phillyan, who was three, squealed with joy when their parents walked in, and toddled over to them as fast as their little legs would carry them. Shylo and Marissa for the time being forgot about being royalty, and concentrated entirely on their children's delight over their new pets.

Indeed, Silvana had just been given a lion cub named Rahana, and Phillyan had received Gyran, a wolf cub. The pair were talking animals, destined to be the children's constant companions and bodyguards, as well as playmates. They had voluntarily accepted the position, considering it an honor, and were busy making friends with their new companions.

Marissa noticed that her husband was preoccupied, and wanting to know what the matter was without frightening the children, she shortened the playtime and sent them off to bed. She then followed Shylo out onto the balcony, where she found him staring intently towards the east.

"What is troubling you, dear husband?" she asked, laying her hand on his shoulder. "What do you see that could disturb you so?"

"I have had misgivings about the nature of Queen Olivia's intentions toward us for some time, and they have just been confirmed," he answered quietly. "Look over there, and tell me what you see," pointing to a gray line on the horizon that was advancing quickly, mirrored by a grayness in the sky.

"Snow," she whispered, crestfallen.

Shylo nodded. "The soldiers will be here before dawn."

"Why have we had no warning?"

"I do not know, and that worries me. Either there are traitors, or the sorceress is showing no mercy. Neither perspective is reassuring."

"Is there nothing we can do to stop them?" Marissa asked worriedly.

"No, my Queen. We have no army, and no time to warn anyone. If we hurry, we can get the children to safety, as well as the crown treasures. They are what she wants."

Their faces set and grave, the King and Queen descended to the royal council room, and called for the two nurses, as well as the three chief Councilors. When they arrived, the doors to the room were shut, and the guards were sent away.

The nurses reappeared ten minutes later, and headed to the nursery, accompanied by the queen. They had stayed just long enough to learn of their orders, and left to execute them. Each was to wake the child entrusted to her care, dress it simply, and then set out towards a secret destination, where they would leave the child and cub. They were made to promise, on pain of death, to never breathe a word about the fact that they had nursed the royal children, or where they had taken them.

The King and Councilors remained closeted for another hour or so, taking measures to protect the people of Springland, as well as hide the royal treasures. It was decided that each Councilor would take one or two of these and hide them in his home, and in the event of his death, would entrust the secret to his oldest son, whose duty it would be to restore it to Princess Silvana when she came of age, or to King Shylo should he manage to return before then. King Shylo himself would hide the Scepter, Springland's greatest treasure, in a location known only to him.

When these things had been decided, Shylo went to the gatehouse, and ordered the guards to close the gates and keep them closed as long as was humanly possible. He then showed the Councilors into the treasure room, and entrusted them with the Two Crowns of Springland, the Royal Seals and the Calling Whistle, which had been kept because of its value, but never used. A common legend said that whoever blew that whistle in his hour of need would receive help from Spirgha-Maquía himself, but King Shylo didn't have time to waste heeding to superstition. He therefore took the case in which rested the Scepter, and holding it closely to himself, showed the Councilors out, warning them to use the utmost caution as they returned to their homes, and to flee the city if at all possible. The King then disappeared down a dark passageway.

In the meantime, Queen Marissa was not idle. After having tearfully kissed her children for what she feared would be the last time, she began preparing for a hasty flight, knowing she could expect no mercy from the hands of Olivia, the queen of Invernia, or her terrible warriors, the Harilions. She therefore assembled clothing, food, and other items that would be useful to her husband and herself.

She had nearly finished when she felt the palace shake beneath her. The soldiers were at the gates, trying to break them down! She hastily finished the last bag, then set out in search of her husband. She ran through each room, calling his name, clinging to the walls every time the battering ram hit the doors. Marissa finally found him near the kitchens, looking very dusty and tired.

"Quick!" she gasped. "I have bags in our room with everything we will need. We can escape–-"

Just then, there was a terrific crash, and the doors broke open. Soldiers poured through the opening and surrounded the King and Queen before they could take a step. The last thing either of them remembered was Queen Olivia leering into their faces, and then everything went black…