Prologue

         Prologue

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                     The thundering of claws rumble through the green canopy, causing birds of rainbow to flee to the sky. Slinking into their homes the ground creatures hide in the dark safety of the earth, their instincts warning them of the approaching danger. The lively music made by the creatures in the trees cease.

                     Crashing through vegetation, three riders on large bird-like creatures with long legs and necks, two times bigger than a human, burst into the clearing. One of the figure hides his visage behind a black cloak, the other two ride beside him, their faces handsome, but cruel. The birds of prey that they ride cock their heads meaningfully, searching and listening for eavesdroppers.

                   "We have completed your orders," speaks one. The other speaks up, "Everything has been done, but why do you ask us to come here? What more do we need to do?" The hooded figure answers in a gravelly voice, " It is never enough. The murders of the Oracle of Healing and the Oracle of Life has done nothing to improve my indisposition. Their life force is but a trickle to my body."     "So it is something bigger that we aim for?" the one who asked, says.  " I aim for the heart of Aerelya," the hooded figure replies.

                    "But where is it?" the first rider questions.  " You must find out," ends the hooded figure. Turning his bird around he gallops off. The two remaining watch him leave. "Where do we look?" the first rider asks. The other smirks, "Where else but Aerelya?"