And the High King then declared 2E2000 the last year of the old Era, proclaiming Year's Start Day to be January 1, 3E1, hence beginning the new.

As to what Modru might have promised the renegade Drakes, those subsequently reft of their fire, there is only speculation. Mayhap he promised Daagor the Dragonstone or perhaps the death of Black Kalgalath; yet the Dragonstone itself at the time was indeed lost and Kalgalath hale and powerful. Some speculate that he promised Skail a mate, for some long years later that Drake was seen bearing a Kraken through the night skies above the Grimwall. And others believe perhaps he gave Sleeth information as to when the treasure-rich Dwarvenholt of Blackstone might be vulnerable, as future events would reveal. But all of these are different tales, different stories, some told, others not.

What is not recorded anywhere are the battles fought among Magekind, adherents of Gyphon and those of Adon fighting a mystical war on arcane battlefields, a tale which perhaps will never be told.

But this is not the time to speak of other stories, for herein are recorded the deeds of two unexpected heroes- Tipperton Thistledown and Beau Darby-and the heroes they met along the way. All other tales must await their turn, for it truly is all connected, you know.

Many things lie somewhere, lost in the wreckage of war… innocence not the least of these.