Chapter One

 The snow had long since melted by now, nearly two seasons later. Fingers of green pushed through the damp black soil. The only snow left was caked against the walls of the small cottage where an old dwarf and a very special child rested.

A child in which had woken up just moments before.

She, however, didn't cry as most hungry children would. No, she simply sat in the little bed that Marik had made her from a simple wooden crate. The crate was lined with furs and the cloth she had been found bundled in.

The child, who Marik resorted to calling 'Azaray', or 'frozen ice' in Valnierian, sat quietly in her crib. She gazed around the single roomed cabin. First to the little wood stove near the door, then to the sleeping Marik to her right, snoring away his his dwarf-sized bed. 

Now it should be known that he had raised her as his own, caring for her all this time. He fed her goat's milk and bits of his own fish and bread. By now she was a lively strong child, already able to walk. Albeit not very far and none too quickly.

It should also be known that Marik had probably accepted his role as father over the peculiar child.

Peculiar indeed with the way she watched with silent, wondering eyes and peculiar in the way that she seemed to be much older inside of her infant head. She never fussed or cried, and she didn't tear things to bits or eat everything within reach.

No, she simply watched, and she was easily pleased. Every morning when Marik brought in the days milk, Azaray would giggle in fits, her icy grey eyes glittering. Her liveliness had brought the lonely dwarf to life.

And that morning as he finally stirred, pulling himself up on creaking elbows. He was surprised, and delighted to see the child's toothless grin.

"Well good morning my dear!" He chuckled as he stood. His greeting was returned by a babbling mess of made up words.

"I see," He murmured thoughtfully, playing along with her. Marik brushed her brown hair from her face and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then he continued past her and lifted the pail from where it sat, just inside of the door. He glanced at her with a toothy smile.

"I'll be back in just a moment, dearest," He winked and turned, hobbling out of the wooden door.

Now Azaray had always been a quiet child. But at that moment she was quite the opposite. She screamed, her tiny chest wracked with her sobs. She hiccuped from her wailing before starting up again.

Now in these times, the high kingdom of Valnier and a kingdom from the far west, called Rena, were warring. Rena, a kingdom of darkness used to be an ally of Valnier, until Prince Logan Marley took his uncle's place as king. Logan was a greedy cruel man. Rumor was that Logan had killed his uncle for the crown. Now, two years since Logan's reign began, Rena declared war on Valnier. 

Valnier was the high kingdom, ruled by king Artemis Salik, was a peaceful flourishing kingdom. King Artemis was know for his kind, loving spirit.

However, now terror reigned over Valnier and her people. Rena had been raiding small villages and towns on the edges of the kingdom, wreaking havoc and claiming territory. They were forever pushing towards the capital and heart.

And as Azaray screamed, a troop of Renan soldier were making their way through the valley, towards the cabin. And the child was very well aware.

Now, how had such a small child, who hadn't yet even grown more than four teeth, let alone political knowledge, possibly know that?

Well she in fact was special, as we said before. Peculiar and special in her own unique way as Marik was soon to find out. He had long dropped the pail, forgetting all about the milk, and sprinted as fast as his dwarfish legs would allow. Quite violently he tumbled through the door, looking wide eyed at the hysteric infant. He stumbled toward her, fearing the worst. His fears changing with each pounding heartbeat. Spiders with flesh eating venom, children eating snakes.

But as he reached for her, his fingers brushing her cheek, images flooded his head. Destruction and frief left by remorseless soldiers. The blood caked armor and burning towns. Troops already making their way through the valley, heading for them. His heart pulled between fear and confusion at what was to come and wonder at the girl's abilities.

Immediately, Marik knew what had to be done. He got to work, clearing space, pulling furs into the room, and piling them onto his bed. Making spare room in the cold cellar. He bustled around, trying to tie knots into his life that seemed to be coming apart at the seams all too quickly and as he did, he caught Azaray's gaze. The girl he had come to see as his own daughter whimpered and watched him with wide, wondering eyes.

His own brown eyes filled with stinging tears and he pulled her from her makeshift crib.

"My dear grl, you must stay quiet for me. Quiet as a mouse. You're very important, my child. You're going to change things. I know it. I will always love you. Don't ever forget. Live long and live on, my sweet Azaray."

Marik knew, somewhere inside of him that she understood every word and with that he set her back into her bed and kissed her tiny hand. He set his warmest furs over her, knowing that after today, he wouldn't be needing them. Marik hoisted her crate into his arms and carried it ito the cellar, tucking it behind a shelf of stored food. He planted a gentle kiss on her head and la a bottle of goat milk beside her. He pulled a small amulet for his neck, looking at it for a moment. Then he took a deep breath.

"Koto, I need your help," He grumbled, shaking the amulet. After a moment, it quivered and the dark red crystal seemed to pulse. The air became electrified