~Prologue~

Long ago, there were two kingdoms near the center of the main continent, Giahelm. One kingdom was ruled by a king whom ruled with kindness, his knights were brave and his court was filled with honorable men. His country prospered off the land and through trade with many of the surrounding kingdoms and villages.

The other kingdom, was led by a king whom ruled with an iron fist. His knights were wrathful brutes whom pillaged and murdered whomever and in whatever village, kingdom or haven they pleased. The kingdom prospered through their devious and dishonorable deeds.

*****

The leaders of Giahelm gathered together in the capitol of Jumi, to decide upon the fate of the wicked king. They wanted to prevent war for as long as possible. None were ready to face such a foe. The kindly king suggested, that someone should gift to him, a bride. Perhaps the love of a beautiful woman, could calm the savage beast.

None of the leaders were willing to give up their beloved daughters to the savage king, and none knew of a nearby continent of which they could travel and bring back a bride.

The king pondered on what to do about the situation. His own bride held the solution. “Dear husband, why not ask the Gods for a bride? Certainly they would be willing to help in our plight. It is for the safety of Giahelm, after all.”

So one day, he traveled to the mountain temple upon Mt. Philon. In the temple’s prayer room, he prayed for 18 days and 18 nights. Upon the 18^th night, he was visited by Yorun, the God of Prosperity.

“Why do you travel to me, great king?” he asked. “Have you not received all you and your people could ask for?” he wondered. The king pleaded on his knees.

“Oh, Yorun! God of Prosperity! The neighboring kingdom is ruled by a savage man. I wish to soothe his bloodthirsty ways. We hoped that if he were gifted a wife, it may calm him in some way.” Yorun thought of this heavily.

“Is that what you think?” the king nodded. “So be it, I shall gift a wife to this king. But if he shall go back to his ways, I will take her back, and all of Giahelm shall feel my wrath.” He turned and headed for the grand fireplace. There, he grabbed a handful of ash, and softly blew it out of his hands.

In the wake of the ash, stood one of the most becoming women that the king had ever laid eyes upon. Her auburn hair flowed down her back, and her piercing green eyes bore into the soul of the king. “Bring her to him, and tell him that she is his bride. She is for no one else. Should she fall into another man’s bed, the same fate shall befall you as if he were to go back to his ways, understand?” the king nodded. “Leave.” Yorun commanded.

*****

The king and the woman traveled to the kingdom of Malor, where the savage king resided. His guards were at the ready, spears in hand. As the king’s carriage approached, the captain of the guard came upon them. “Halt, who goes there?” The king poked his head out of the carriage window.

“Tis I, king of Tiahlia. I must speak with your king at once.” The guard snickered.

“Surrendering so soon?” he chided.

“No. Now, let me through.” The king commanded. The guard grimaced. He waved to the other guards to let him through.

“Speak kinder, king. For all you know, you may bow to our own king sometime soon.” The king scoffed.

“I think not.” The carriage rattled on as they approached the castle.

The king was led into the throne room. The savage king, whom called himself Orpheus, was seated upon his throne. His long ebony locks draped over his shoulders. His white silken shirt unbuttoned halfway down. He was sitting rather informally to be in such company as that of another king and a guest.

“And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, King William?” he asked, examining his cuticles.

“Your Majesty,” King William addressed him curtly. Orpheus looked over, and spotting the beautiful woman, adjusted his shirt and sat up. “This is your bride, as given to you by Yorun. Treat her kindly. She is only for you. But, if you keep up your malicious deeds, she shall be taken, and his vengeance shall spread through all of Giahelm.” Orpheus looked from the king to the woman.

“Yorun? He stood up, slowly approaching the woman.

“Yes. She has no name. Give her one.”

“Geneviève.” He said, gently touching her face. King William nodded.

“Do you swear to halt your merciless slaying and pillaging, and to give back what land you have taken?”

“I swear.” Orpheus’s eyes did not leave Geneviève’s heavenly face. William bowed. “

I shall take my leave then.”

*****

A date was set, and soon Orpheus and Geneviève were wed. The whole of Giahelm was relieved, as once he was wed, there was no word of any more attacks.

Time passed, and Geneviève grew with child. William and Orpheus took council in his royal court.

“It has been the happiest time of my life.” Orpheus preened, looking out from the balcony, watching his queen in the garden. “And soon, I shall become a father. And it is thanks to you and Yorun, I am eternally grateful.” He said, firmly grasping William’s hand.

“I did nothing but bring her to you, at Yorun’s request.” William did not want any glory when it came to Orpheus’s wife. He was just happy that the pillaging had stopped, and there was no longer a threat of war.

“I was thinking, William. Your wife is with child, as is mine. If perhaps, they are each a boy and girl, that our children should wed.” William’s mouth dropped in surprise. A binding of kingdoms? It wasn’t what he expected, to say the least.    

“Are you sure?” he asked. Orpheus nodded.

“Once bonded, both of our kingdoms may prosper. My men have found coal and silver mines. With your agricultural influence and my monetary wealth, we both shall prosper.” William thought about it.

“It seems like a solid proposal. But pray tell, what shall we do if we both have a child of the same gender?” he asked. Orpheus smiled.

“Let’s talk about that later.” The men chuckled as they parted ways.

*****

Time passed on, and it neared the time of the birth of Orpheus and Geneviève. It was sunset when it happened.

The sky grew blood red, and the ground was torn asunder. Orpheus and his queen awoke with a fright. There was bloodcurdling screams resounding throughout the castle. He could see giant balls of fire raining down from the heavens.

“Your Highness, what’s happening?” the captain of the guard ran in, sword drawn.

“I have no idea, where are the rest of my knights?” he asked.

“Slain. Yorun took one swipe with his mighty hand and they were thrown into the gash that appeared in the earth. He’s moving closer, your Majesty.

As he turned to respond, out of the corner of his eye, Orpheus spotted a shadow looming over his castle.

Yorun took his colossal hand and ripped the roof off of his bedroom turret. Orpheus stood in front of Geneviève, determined to protect her no matter what. Yorun swept him out of the way, like an insipid insect. He grabbed Geneviève, watching her squirm in agony. He took a talon, and ripped open her stomach.

Her deafening screams pierced his ears as he watched his wife be mutilated by the god. He reached in his talon, and tore out the unborn child.

“NO!” Orpheus ran forward. “STOP! I’VE DONE JUST AS YOU’VE SAID, I’VE CHANGED!” hot tears ran down his face. “Why are you doing this?” Yorun looked down upon him. Not with malice, but pity.

“This concerns you no longer, mortal. He tore open another chasm, and dropped Geneviève’s lifeless body in.

“NO!” he turned to the god. “And what of my child?” Yorun looked back down at him, and the tiny being in his hand.

“She is no longer any of your concern.” He cast down a light, and was gone. With a resounding SNAP! The continent plunged into chaos. Fire raged through, burning down the houses of his subjects. Animals fled from their enclosures, citizens ran for their lives. His kingdom was in ruin.

Now nothing mattered. He would have his revenge. And that, readers, is where our story begins, 1,000 years in the future.

END OF PROLOGUE