Prologue

….the year is 338 I.S.

Estrise, at last, it seemed like years since the young man had felt the touch of a cool ocean breeze against his face. The smell of the salty air caused a twinge of familiarity to run down his back as he made his way through the hustle and bustle of townsfolk going about their ordinary lives. It had been sometime since he had laid his eyes upon such a rare sight as a clear blue sky backdropping against a tranquil sapphire blue sea. The flow of the tide was hypnotic moving in and out as he stood upon the coast his gaze fully fixed on the motion; he didn't even notice a salty man, whose sway, speech, countenance, and all other mannerisms left little doubt that this man was an old seadog. "Da' Captin got'rr letter from the princess, yarrr, and da captinn is as mad as a barnacle on hez back side cuz he haz to change hiz plans. Now hurrrie up and get your skinnie arse to da ship beforr da captin chanzes his minds me matie" exclaimed the old sailor. "Oh….yes thank you…please lead the way" replied the young man. Turning his eyes from the shore and looking back toward the inland, he let out a deep sigh, and began following the old timer toward the ocean vessel.

The two made their way to the ship, where a tall man dressed in a white uniform with an orange overcoat awaited them. The old sailor introduced his superior officer to the young man, "this be Capt'n Roberts" he said as he gestured toward the man in orange. The young man quickly made eye contact with this fellow. His uniform was white cotton and his orange coat was one that glimmered like the sun. He stood tall and proud, he was a man who had a presence and knew how to use it. His hair was black as night as was his beard. His face had a serious look and was covered with many scars. The captain didn't try to hide his wounds, for him they were a badge of honor he wore proudly as well as his demeanor was excellent for intimidating his foes and friends alike. His one hand was rested on the hilt of his sword and the other at his side. There was little doubt in the mind of the young man that this man before him was a warrior as well as a sailor, one who had seen all the conflicts and hardships the sea could throw against a man.

Roberts, likewise, stared down this young man who had just arrived on his ship. It was odd enough to receive a secret letter from a member of the royal family in the middle of the night from a Queen's Knight requesting immediate transport for this seemingly diplomatic official, but there was something different about this man himself. The way he walked, the way his arms moved, his whole bodies' demeanor left little doubt that the young man knew how to fend his own. The weapons that he wore aside his ambassador-styled robes were for more than mere show. Moreover, his face had such deep eyes, observed the captain; for this was what had caught his attention. Never before had he seen one so young with eyes so serious, so gentle, so experienced, and yet so sorrowful. These eyes were not the eyes of a typical youth, but of a general, or a great admiral, one who had been to hell and back. The youth was indeed an enigma to Roberts, perhaps that's why his anger subsided when he met this man he would be transporting on such a last minute's notice.

The captain was not the kind who went about taking orders as so much giving them. But Roberts was a proud and patriotic man, and a request like this from the royal family, he took as great honor; also the gift of 200,000 potch along with promise of another 200,000 upon returning certainly helped to convince the captain to take this presumably simple mission of taking this man to the Island Nations Capital of Obel. "This is my ship!," declared Roberts in a deep yet concise voice, "I am letting you on MY ship for the sake of her highness, Princess Olinda, but if you're going to stay on my ship until we get to Obel, then for your own sake you better be willing to work with the rest of my crew, understand?" "I'll help with the ship that is not a problem; all I ask is when I am not working I be left alone in my room" retorted the youth. The captain was a bit shocked by the lack of any notable emotional response, such as fear, distain, or pride in the man's voice. Normally, when the Captain speaks, people jump, but this young man's attitude simply accepted his fate for whatever it was to be. "Very well then," smirked Roberts, turning to some of his crew who were close by, "take our "guest" to his quarters." "Yi, Cap'n, right away," said the crewmembers. As the two and the youth began to make their way to across the deck, Roberts turned and said "I nearly forgot, what is your name son?" Not turning around, but walking toward the downstairs, he replied "Lazlo." "Lazlo eh! Interesting, well then welcome aboard the Dawning" said the Captain.

"Arrggg ..Capt'n there be some thin fishy about that guy. I can feel it in me britches he be trouble" whispered the old seadog. "I know Mr. Oaks, I know, but what can I do; the princess herself has asked and paid us to take him away." "But, Capt'n there be all kindz of rumors blowing a bout, saying the royal family is in all in kindz of maelstroms right now, sirrr" pleaded Oakes "I dioesnt wanna be walkin the plank for no ones but ye capt'n." "I have heard the rumors too and whether the boy is involved or not doesn't matter. Royal problems are just that ROYAL problems, so let those land lovers deal with in. We have our money and our mission; we'll take him to Obel, wait a while and come back, collect the rest of our treasure from the princess, and that will be that. Besides, he's different and certainly strange agreed, but there is something about him that is…respectable. Now get to your post and so we can set sail Mr Oakes" "Yi Capt'n" yelled the old sailor.

"Your Highness, I just received word from Estrise, they accepted your request and his ship set sail earlier this morning" reported the Queen's Knight. "Thank you so much" the gentle voice replied. The Queen Knight speaking more casual and personally, "Princess Olinda what will you do now, I mean if your mother finds out, she'l…ll.." "She won't know, not her, not father, no one, not even sister, this will..this must be kept quiet for the rest of the negotiations, or else it will ruin everything, maybe even start a war" stressed Olinda. "My job is to protect you as well as Falena from any threat, m'lady, I swear I won't tell a soul, but what about…the young master Barows ...if you two are to…I mean..soon you won't be able to hide.." replied her bodyguard. "You are a true friend, Rose, indeed, you are correct, that is why I must marry him, it breaks my heart, but if there is one thing I have learned because of all this is my wants come second to the needs of Falena. I am its Princess!…" Olinda then taking Rose by both hands as they two began to weep together, "come let us pray for the Sun's divine protection upon us and Falena right now, for I fear for the future …."