Chapter One. Admonitionem Bellum. (Admonition of War.)

Five bowmen stood lined up in front of Nemphus - where they should be. He stood a foot above them on a step front and center in a massive foyer used for gatherings. “This is the day of the new, where we will all raise our goblets in greatness, to fight for what we believe in - for this kingdom.” Nemphus announced to the mingling crowd. The court sat a few paces away, left of Nemphus and the king and queen sat just above the step to his right. The crowd broke out in a cheer and the knights were jostled as the crowd took their seats at the feast that had been set out for them. Long rows of tables sat at least sixty to eighty people, some nobles, baroness’s, dukes, and then the commoners. The wooden tables were loaded with unimaginable delicacies and the citizens along with noblemen and women were scurrying about to get the goods. Nemphus took a seat next to his wife, noble Deloray. The broad wooden doors leading into the great feast suddenly parted and Herona, queen of Isuli waltzed up the middle isle and knelt before Farberost and Enalia. King and Queen of Estenia.

“My Queen..” Herona spoke “And my King.” She bowed from where she knelt then gracefully stood. “There seems to be an upset across the land, I got here as quickly as I could.” As she spoke, Nemphus appeared at Herona’s side and whispered something of a sort into her ear. Shocked, Herona bowed and Nemphus waved Farberost and Enalia to follow. As they marched out in pairs, they shut the door tight behind them. “Enalia, Helrons army is advancing at a rapid pace. They have bowmen incantatorum and Livish with them.” Herona whispered, holding Enalia's arm in between her hands. Nemphus bowed his head and left quickly, to set out for his knighting and bow incantatorum. Enalia stood for a moment, “Don’t tell me Livish has joined them?” gasping, she could barely contain herself. She whipped around and lifted the handle to the big wooden door that stood about 20 feet above herself. “I want all knights, bowmen and Ulrane in the courtyard now!” She barked into the chattering hall, when all went silent. Hundreds of incantatorum and Ulrane stood and scurried out one of the doors at the front of the hall.

A man from the court stood and came to the tall step in front of the hall. “The feast will continue for the rest.” Roland, the highest of the court, and an Ulrane himself said, then turned nodding to Enalia and to the court. The court stood and exited the same door. Enalia turned and shut the door behind her. Farberost was already off with Herona to the courtyard themselves and Enalia marched with a few incantatorum behind her. An Ulrane landed in the center of the courtyard just a few moments after Enalia had arrived and strolled up to Roland, he handed him a note and bowed, taking a seat next to Herona. Enalia and Farberost waited patiently as hundreds of incantatorum and ulrane filed into the massive courtyard. The air was chilling, but the prodigious bushes that wrapped around the courtyard helped break the wind from chilling them any further. It was a vast open courtyard, possibly could fit the entire kingdom and more it was guessed. Estenia had an army that containted more than 400,000 enchanters and ulrane. Ulrane were delicate looking things, but the strongest of the army, with wings that beat 10 feet out. Once they landed you would never guess they had wings. They were fair skinned and had wavy locks of the deepest blacks to the purest of whites and their ceremonial robes gleamed with the velvet cover of night.

Farberost moved closer to Nepmhus who was reading the scroll given to Roland. As they finished, they past it to Farberost who passed it to Enalia, who passed it to Herona, who passed it to the court. By the time all incantatorum and ulrane were seated, Nemphus began to speak. “As you might very well be aware of..” he said, “This kingdom is and has been for thousands and thousands of eons, the greastest of any kingdom.” he was now pacing quite fervently and it was apparent he was nervous. “Devoted we serve this kingdom with all of our hearts. All of you brave and ready to stand up, which makes me get to my next point.” Nemphus was old, the creases in his eyes showed it and his long white mane flowed down his back, along with his beard that was short and choppy. Nemphus was Herona and Enalia's brother and oldest of the incantatorum that were now spread throughout Estenia and Isuli. He was also the leading general for Estenia's army. “Helron is advancing and so we shall stand and fight. I want you men and women to be readily available for the next fortnight.” Nemphus took a seat next to Herona and the court, just as Roland stepped up where Nemhpus had stood. Roland was shorter and much younger looking than Nemphus, but Ulrane always looked young even if they were older than incantatorum and humans. “So now I ask, of Ulrane, divide yourselves into three groups. One to watch from the mountains, Helrons army. Send their whereabouts at my command.” He paused, “The next group, stand among knighting incantatorum, and the third group stand with bowmen incantatorum.” As he finished, Enalia leapt from her seat and folded her hands together. She was a lovely woman, brimming at the sight of her army. When she was twelve, she was sent to Estenia from Isuli to be trained to become a hexelle. Farberost was a boy himself, heir of Estenia's King, he himself was a hexelle. Enalia with her streaked jet black hair that was always held back with tight knots and twigs, spoke generously with a smile broadening on her face. “Myself and your King, will be at the head of each sortment when you are called.” She bowed gracefully and sat next to her mate and Herona.

“I don’t suppose you know what you’re doing…”Enalia whispered into Heronas listening ear. Herona just shrugged, patted her shoulder - giving her an obvious smile and flew off with over 10,000 or so Ulrane. The suavissimus knights and bowmen single file - walked from the courtyard chatting and glancing back at the king and queen who sat patiently, waiting for Nemhpus and Roland’s attention. The court stepped off the stage of stones and took their place behind the cantata, also known as enchanted, fleet of men and women. Farberost - who was looking quite pale turned to Nemphus, who seemed to be stirring and pacing quite uncomfortably. Farberost was a hexelle - the most powerful and descendants of both ulrane and incantatorum. “Nemph-” Farberost began but Enalia stood and held her brothers shoulder gently, “My dear brother” she said in her most comforting tone, “Everything will be alright. I have drawn an enchantment barrier up around the kingdom, it should hold them off for a few days when they have reached Estenia.” She glanced at her husband who was readying himself for a conversation. Enalia, having no intention at all of interrupting her husband, scooted Nemphus toward him and proceeded away from them - toward Roland who was rubbing his temples.