The Shadow has Spread

The light of the world is dwindling as Midnight falls. Darkness has finally come and has spread throughout the land. Now you can get a dim glimpse into the bleak world that is coming from our articles touring the lands of the four Night Kings and their master, the Shadow in the North, as seen through the eyes of a meloncholy wanderer.

The Shadow has fallen and is casting you into an age of darkness . . .

I am writing this at my own peril. What else can I do? In the past I have done so little, nothing really, and my well-being is of no significance. If you are reading this then you too are in danger. But what if no one does? What if everyone is too afraid? What if no one is left? What if everyone shares my former apathy? What if everyone has chosen, as I did, to withdraw from the world? No matter. I must try to make a difference now.

I know my words are filled with self-doubt and confused reflections, but it has been a great number of years since I tried to communicate with others by word or by letter. Things have changed so much in the world since my youth, since I fled from my responsibility. Even then the storm clouds were gathering, unnoticed by me. But enough, I am rambling.

I should tell you who I am. My name is Kumaris and I am one of the Caransil, a “wood elf” in the tongue of men. We are said to be long-lived and wise. I assure you the latter is not always true. Over a century ago, before the third Great War, I was betrothed to a maiden whom I felt was the embodiment of all that was beautiful in the world. Beyond her nothing else mattered. The neglect of my responsibilities provoked censure from my people. It was inconceivable to them that one of their kin could lose touch with magic and nature. They couldn’t understand. I was different. Y’leena was everything to me. It is still too painful to say more.

As the shadow of war crept closer and closer to our wood my people had ever more contact with the other races. It was this contact with outsiders that brought us to the attention of the orc and goblin tribes. It was this contact that brought down their wrath upon us. The refugees had brought their misfortunes with them.

Y’leena was dead. Many others with her, but I cared not. She was all. My life was gone. Our people joined the fight to stave off Izrador’s evil host. But instead of taking my place among them and rising up in vengeance I went away; far away into the dark and remote forest of Highwood. And there I stayed, to my disgrace, for more than a century. Left alone with my thoughts and desolation I bothered no one and battled only my own despair.

Why didn’t I end my own suffering? I don’t know. Perhaps fear? Perhaps cowardice? And why have I finally left my retreat? Perhaps that is an entry for another time. For now it is important to tell of the things I have seen. For the changes I have witnessed in my misspent life. The time has come to lift the veil of ignorance. The time has come to convince those who can oppose the Night Kings that they must. The time has come to fight the Shadow even if all is lost. Perhaps I can inspire others where I have failed. If you exist. If there is anyone but me.

Continue to PART ONE