Gather 'round the fire, Children of Sylus. I have a tale to tell that you have never heard. The author is unknown, but it is nonetheless epic. Before we start, make sure you are prepared to sit for a long time, children, for this story has many pages and chapters. Now then, this is a story of a Kingdom in crisis, a tale of two magicians and their quest to restore tranquility to the Kingdom, and a tale of the hundreds of people who helped with this restoration. This is a tale of swords and staves, of elves and dwarves, of dragons and goblins. This is the Leornia Story.

Once upon a time, in the Country of St. Sur, a king by the name of Gregoryn presided. He had an iron fist and was known for harsh punishments for the lightest of infringements. He married but once to a woman named Alycia, but she died in labor. However, together, Gregoryn and Alycia produced a small girl named Serena. She grew up in the protected castles of St. Sur, venturing outside whenever she could escape Gregoryn's watchful eye.

She would leave as a peasant, talking with the commoners and tradesmen of St. Sur. She learned many things, and got into many fights with people upset by her form as a commoner. Eventually, her father learned of this and locked her in her room to 'protect her'. She wouldn't be allowed to leave until Gregoryn trusted his daughter enough again, which sometimes lasted months at a time. She was fed in her room, bathed by servants, and was talked to once a week by Gregoryn's right-hand man, Russell.

Russell would talk about the news in the Country, and who had fought who, who was making fortunes in trades, and the latest strangers who had wandered into St. Sur. He was quite kind to Serena, talking for the entire day at times, seemingly undisturbed by the comings and goings of Gregoryn's servants. Serena began to enjoy Russell's company, and would wait eagerly for his return. She would make things for him, such as necklaces and bracelets, which Russell cherished, as he took pity for her imprisonment.

Gregoryn himself had been talking with the King of Idyllan, a prosperous country to the east. The prince of Idyllan was soon set to wed Serena when they both came of age. Now, Serena was never told of this, but Eduard, Prince of Idyllan, was amazed at the beauty of Serena, which he took from paintings of Serena done by Royal Artists. Prince Eduard composed many poems and songs of Serena, none of which would reach her.

One day, on Serena's 17th birthday, Prince Eduard visited, having recently celebrated his 17th birthday as well. Serena didn't know it, but she was going to be wed that day. Russell came to tell her this before the ceremony began, and Serena was aghast. She found this news terrible, as she had heard Eduard was a barbarian. Before the guards and servants could stop her, she escaped the castle and fled the Country of St. Sur. She escaped to the Forests of the Spirits, where she would soon meet two magicians who could help her escape Gregoryn and his tyrannic rule on both family and Country.

But Gregoryn took this whole ordeal as a traitorous action. She had refused to marry a man who could continue Gregoryn's rule. This meant if Gregoryn died before Serena wed, Russell would be next, as he had been designated as the next Heir, despite his lack of relations to the King. Though Gregoryn trusted Russell, he feared the Country would not be under such strict and regulated ruling, and the peasants would grow brave and rebel.

Serena headed through the Forests of the Spirits, and eventually became tired, not used to being so far away from luxuries. She eventually passed out in a clearing known only as Angel's Grace. After a while, a couple of mages enter the clearing, and find Serena in her bad state. The tale continues in the next chapter...