Anthem has come a long way.
When she was eight, her village was attacked and very nearly wiped out. She survived only because her mother hid her away in a chest of blankets. Neither of her parents survived the attack.
Her Godsmother, Nerys, gave her a home and a purpose in raising sheep. They lived a quiet, peace-filled life just north of Greensward.
Until the day Anthem came down from the upper meadows with the sheep and found all of Greensward burned to a crisp.
Including her beloved Nerys.
Not a soul survived. No building was spared.
All Anthem had left were her flock of sheep and the clothes on her back.
Thinking she would go to the next village, but not knowing what she'd do when she got there, she stumbled upon a cabin hidden away by magic.
The property, and the man who lived there, was full of secrets.
He knew who had attacked Greensward. He knew who Anthem was. And he knew about the stone she wore around her neck.
The one she'd never told anyone about.
And now he's training her to kill a man in revenge for the murder of Nerys and all those who called Greensward their home.
When she's gifted with a customized short-sword, Anthem begins to train with it in earnest. She works hard to develop the upper body and arm strength that does not come easily. She learns how to use a staff to protect herself while keeping an attacker beyond arm's length.
In the spring, she'll leave her sheep with Qrolius, and head to Vahaava Ri to find Duke Redmoss and make him pay for killing her family.
Along the way, she'll have to learn how to control and use her growing magic.
And figure out what to do with a newly hatched dragon that she names
Ember, quite possibly the last dragon alive in Uclandia.
Comments