In the great days of ancient lore, when great men fought great battles there was a story of one war that rose above them all. This war was so immensely great that it has been called the war of farewells. When so many families were split apart and even great shapers of our earth were involved. I am writing this as of 10 years after the War of Strife. I have now�K a clearer perspective of what happened then. For in the midst of death and decay who has time to write yea fabled tales of the time. It is my hope that those who read this will truly appreciate the trials that we went through�K

From the GrandPlains there is a town�K Akaneth, a small peaceful farming community that rests among the foothills of Kilar mountain range, which itself rests on the eastern edge of the land just before the Hessar desert. In this town the folk keep to themselves with narry a care for those living outside the world. For their world revolves only on farming.

Estheria was a beautiful women in her time. However she looked much more aged then what she really was. Estheria was only 108(a young age for a Certa) , yet raising her daughter and son alone made her years much more rapid. Her chestnut eyes eyed her children. She sighed. I must stop thinking of them as children. They have already come of age the previous winter.

Lithar listened to his stern but caring mother as she barked orders from the house. Why was she so bossy? All I��m doing is conversing with my friends. �� I went down to the pond today! Saw some dragon eggs I did!�� �� You��re not funny as you claim to be Garl�� �� I reckon that��s something your mom would say! Wait never mind that��s her calling you in to eat your supper now HAHA!�� �� At least I have food to eat rather then air to speak to!�� Lithar left Garl could find out what this meant. Though Garl was constantly trying to find jests in which to impart upon Lithar. Lithar knew it was just because of the respect he received from his friend. Lithar was a male Certa

��lithar tend the farm! Stop playing with your friends! We must harvest before th�� Storm��

Lithar took heed of his mothers words even though he actually did not have to pay attention to her anymore. He shrugged and his nicely trimmed short blond, almost white hair shone in the sunlight. However the sun was quickly setting the sky so he ran to the small brown ram-shackle building that he called home.

�� Where��s your sister Lithar? I thought I put the burden upon you to MAKE sure she returned safe and sound. Do you not know of the deepening darkness outside this town?�� �� Yes I know its night-time already mother�� �� You know that��s not what I mean Lithar�K the coming. Many say the end of the days is near. You do know of the rumors of war do you not�� �� Do you think that ol�� Kharlie would be stupid enough to go off and join the forces amassing east of Kilar?? �� Do you not doubt it little boy?�� �� I do not believe she is that stupid that is all�K the Urlak army always wins. Why put herself in danger? I am sure she is just playing with some friends��

��Maybe so�� Estheria replied. She started cleaning around the house fanatically as she tended to do to disguide her feelings. �� Go cook the plants�� Estheria said. Outside the sun had been replaced with the waxing moon. There were so many dark ominous clouds tonight that even its eternal glow could not pierce through them. A sense of forboding came upon Lithar.

The wax candle was lit and Lithar sat down in his crooked wooden chair while cheese and meat and some KeelGrass were set on the table. They both ate in silence and listened to the somber sounds of the wind outside. �� In these dark times there must be some happiness�K�� said Lithar Ancient kings ruled the halls of the green heaven of the east�K while gates and wreathes piled up and all was well. Many tall people ruled the halls of yore Green and lush the land was in the day and all forgat death

Ancient kings ruled the mountains of the diamond mountains to the north Gates of minerals streams and rivers met in the depths of the range All was well war was forgotten and Dwarves rulled the tombs of kings

Ancient kings traveled west to escape the tides of doom. Narry did they know that the gloom they escaped would Strike the evil down where it stood All was well war was forgotten and the kings ruled once again

From the seas in which the Kings came they gushed the water made great claps of thanks and with that the ancient lands in which they came were forgotten in the mist of time. All was well war was forgotten and the kings died but there legacy lived on

And with that lithar was silent.

He walked slowly up to bed after the dinner and into his straw bed. Tired from the days adventures he slept. Unaware of the happenings around him�K

��Time to wake maggot!�� Kharlie stood above him. But where her eyes should have shown with gentle blue light. There was only slits of red there. The war is beginning! You, you shall have a weapon! Kharlie pointed over at a mangled corpse holding a notched axe. She then pointed at a skinny man almost naked except for the pants his wore. If you shall die. He shall take over your things. Be prepared! The armies of light are amassing over these mountains! We march tonight! And with that a overseer forced him onward as they traveled up the dark mountain pass. He felt the snow slowly melting over his face.

Hey you! Wake up! Said a nearby overseer.

�� IM MOVING��

HEY YOU WERE GOING TO BE LATE FOR THE MASTERS LESSON!!

With that Lithar woke up and Kharlie stood over him her eyes as blue as they ever would be. �� come on you idler master Ekernak is waiting for us outside��

So the candle was melted and the sun shown optimistically outside. He walked downstairs dreading what was coming. Every week master Erkenak would arrive at there house on a day when Lithar could be having great adventures with Garl. Erkenak was a old dwarven warrior who had seen many battles. However sometimes Lithar wished just that Erkenak would go away. However, this did not seem to be happening soon. For though his mother was poor, she devoted all her gold pieces into a weekly combat lessons. �� I want you to have a chance against those fowl wolves in the woods!�� she often said. Lithar thought this was pure rubbish but he obeyed. ��be careful out there�� His mother shouted after him.

Often Erkenak would begin there lessons with tales of great and beautiful battles where he single-handedly killed 30 orcs. Lithar found this difficult to believe but Kharlie ate it up like a feast. They would go into the forests of Khar-toba very oftenly to practice. There Erkenak would teach them the ��supreme dwarven war tactics�� as Erkenak liked to put it.

�� So as I was saying I was cornered I was! Yea there was no less then 30 orcs and a dragon wyrm�K my cowardly friend had run off and I was left to face them alone!�� Lithar day-dreamed about battles often. However, he did not wish to hear it from the mouth of some old proud dwarf! �� Where did your feet take you to yesterday Kharlie?�� �� Shh! I��m trying to listen!��

this went on for about half and hour until the sun set to noon-time when they arrived too there training grounds.

�� Now ill teach you��re an unbeatable heaving cleave! You take your great axe fake-thrust to the front allow your enemy to hit the axe sending them backward. Jump up and cleavem into two! You try it lad!�� Lithar often had to admit that though the dwarf was old he was skilled and great at fighting. He could probably take 30 orcs in his day. So he picked up the great axe then dropped it. �� This is too heavy master!�� �� Non-sense the Certa are blessed with a natural strength! Call upon it�� So with much effort (and mocking from Kharlie) Lithar picked up the axe which weighed no less then 30 pounds and tried to swing it in a way that would not embaress him. Non-the less he hit the target but the recoil sent the axe out of his hand. If it was not for Erkenak who caught the axe before it cleaved Lithar in two. It would be likely that this tale would have ended here.

After an hour of practice or so in which the master constantly voiced his disapproval at Lithars combat stances and so forth. It was finally time to go.

The master sighed and said, �� I believe this is enough excitment for today�� So the two siblings trotted home to tend the farms.

On there way home they met a horse rider, the horse was white adorned with symbols and runes. that showed that it was a messenger from the fortress of Mare. It held it face up proudly and stopped before them

�� Hale young Certas! From the kingdom of Mare! Ruler of Grandplains! King Ber of royal heritage and no small standing has a royal proclamation to make. The great and powerful Land that is the GrandPlains shall as of today , Tarsakh the fourth, shall be entering the great struggle against the tides of darkness. This morn the forces of an orc army stormed the eastern borders of the plains. The beacons were lit. However, it was too late. The orcs over-ran the small guard post there and have already taken over northbridge in the Dakkon river. In approximately 1 week to this date. The king wishes all fighters that wish to join the cause to meet upon the small town of Akaneth, the last place of refuge before the war. All Akaneth townspeople , that have sworn fealty and taken the oath must provide supplies and stock for the up-coming war! Spread the word to your parents young one!��

��It shall be done brave rider but we are not whelps�K we will gladly join your cause should it come to that�� said Kharlie At that one moment Lithar was strangely compelled to strangle her sister �� Why did you volunteer us you fool�� �� We are needed on the front!�� �� Do you think war is glamorous Kharlie? May Naura save us from this peril!��

The rider then kicked the horse and he was off.

�� Never-the-less we must alert Estheria��

So they ran home to tell there mother of the troubles. �� You��re saying that the GrandPlains is signing a vendetta with the darklords of the North?! This can��t be happening! We are surely doomed if we go to war once again I mean�K�� Then her mother started trailing off and her eyes swelled with tears ��Kharlie wishes to sign up for the war�K Kharlie�K have you forgotten what happened to your father?�� �� I never knew my father�� said Kharlie is a spiteful voice her blue eyes once as calm as an ocean on a summer day now as raging as a rapid.

Estherias eyes locked onto her for a long moment. Lithar thought he could see flames going between them.

�� You�K are to never join the resistance understood?�� �� I am fully grown now mother! What right do you have to tell me what to do?�� �� I am still your mother you have said it yourself. However if you truly wish to join the war, then GO! Go but know this. If you leave with those intentions you will have no family�� Kharlie stared for a long moment and then stormed quickly upstairs. Lithar returned to the fields to tend the growing crops.

When the sun set into the mountains. Lithar returned to the house they ate in silence again for the second time.

��BANG!�� ��BANG�� The door knocked again. Lithar took up his sword and slowly opened the door. It creaked and outside he saw a sight.

A badly injured man collapsed at there door. Though his suit was covered in blood. Lithar could tell this man was a royal mark of Ber. A great warrior. There must have been a great battle in order to make him look so pitiful.

��Battle�K in mountains�K Orcs appear tommorow latest�K Pre..prepare all men you have.�� With that the man gasped his final breath and expired.

The war was coming�K