Chapter One: The Forests of the Western Deep

"You've been summoned to the throne room. A Lutren envoy's just arrived."

"Really? Strange... Dakkan was here just a few days ago."- Janik and Quinlan

Cover Page

Uncomfortable in his new rank as Captain of the Guard, Quinlan looks nervously to the side as he wears his Captain's sash.

Synopsis

Newly promoted to the rank of Captain, Quinlan tries to make sense of why his grandfather chose him to inherit the rank despite their differences as he prepares for an audience with the king. At the audience, Quinlan learns that their Canid allies to the north are preparing for war with the marginalized Ermehn in the Northern Wastes. If war were to break out, all the other nations would follow so the king decides to send Quinlan and the Lutren Captain Kenosh to the Canid in an effort to stop the war before it begins.

After the meeting, Quinlan and his best friend Dakkan encounter Crim, who manipulates Quinlan into a public Tesque demonstration in the hopes of showing him up. After defeating Crim, Quinlan meets Kenosh, Dakkan and his friend Janik at the local tavern. Janik is also leaving on a diplomatic mission to another kingdom, only she will be serving as an adviser to the Vulpin Council. They toast to their success.

To the north, two Ermehn fight to the death over control of the tribe. The challenger kills the Tribe Champion, taking control of the tribe. The challenger, named Hardin, expresses his desire to take back what the Canid stole from his people. at any cost.

Summary

In the Deep- Page 1 through Page 15

Janik finds Quinlan in the Western Deep and tells him that he has been summoned by the king. Still grieving the death of his grandfather, Quinlan tries to make sense of why he was chosen to succeed his grandfather as the new Captain of the Guard as he prepares for his audience with the King.

The Audience with the King- Page 16 through Page 25

At the King's audience chamber, Quinlan is briefed on the growing tension between the Canid and the Ermehn by the Lutren Captain Kenosh. If open conflict erupts between the two races, then Sunsgrove will be forced to send military aid to the Canid, an act that would plunge the entire world into war. Captain Kenosh finds the idea of helping the Canid morally reprehensible, claiming that it would be a massacre. Since Sunsgrove cannot endanger their alliance with the Canid by refusing, Kenosh suggests that the Sunsgrovians send an envoy to convince the Canid General Clovis to stand down and requests that Quinlan accompany him to show a united Sunsgrovian front to the Canid. To Quinlan's dismay, and over his stammered protests, Dabheid agrees. Captain Kenosh and King Dabheid leave together, discussing preparations for the journey.

The Tesque Demonstration- Page 26 through Page 40

After the audience, Quinlan and his best friend Dakkan are accosted by Crim, who suggests that Quinlan participate in a Tesque demonstration for Crim's students. Quinlna initially declines, but Crim remarks that Caldus would have done it, prompting Quinlan to change his mind. It quickly becomes clear that the "demonstration" is intended to humiliate Quinlan. At first, Crim's attempt is successful, but Quinlan manages to turn the tables. Losing his temper, Crim drops the pretense of a demonstration and attacks Quinlan, who knocks Crim out.

Adieu- Page 41 through Page 46

At the Land's End Tavern, Janik, Quinlan, Kenosh and Dakkan discuss the fight with Crim. Janik tells Dakkan that Crim was next in line to be the Captain until Caldus named Quinlan as his successor, which only solidified the dislike for Quinlan that Crim already had. Janik changes the subject to the trio's upcoming journey to Deltrada, which is not expected to take longer than a week or two. Janik reveals that she is working with her father, the diplomat to Nessa, and she will be travelling to Nessa to meet the Vulpin Council while Quinlan, Dakkan, and Kenosh travel to Aisling. The quartet drinks to the success of their respective missions.

Ermehn Diplomacy- Page 46 through Page 54

Meanwhile, at the Northern Wastes two Ermehn fight to the death. Some of the spectators talk among themselves, one failing to see the point in the fight, especially if Hardin kills the best warrior. the other remarking that Hardin must have a plan. Hardin kills the Champion, and addresses the tribe, telling the ones who are unwilling to fight with him to reveal themselves.

Hardin's Speech- Page 54 through Page 59

A solitary Ermehn confronts Hardin, asking Hardin what reason they have to join a dead tribe. Hardin says the Ermehn are weak when they fight amongst themselves. He continues that instead of fighting each other, the Ermehn need to be fighting the Canid. Feyn calls Hardin a madman, claiming that his plan would kill them all but Hardin cuts him off, saying the Ermehn have been dead for generations. He goes on to say that the Canid hunt them down like savages because that is what the Ermehn have become, and that the Canid will not rest until they are all dead. Feyn says that even if all the tribes banded together, they would not stand a chance. Hardin says that he only needs one. He promises Feyn that if they fight with him, it'll be the best chance they'll ever get to take back what was lost. Feyn looks doubtful, but no longer protests. Hardin tells any who do not wish to join Hardin's tribe to identify themselves now. No one raises any protests, and Hardin tells his tribe to get the new members ready.

Hardin's Conversation with Ashtor- Page 59 through Page 65

Hardin goes to stand by the fire, where he is confronted by Ashtor. Ashtor does not understand Hardin's reasons for adding Feyn's tribe to their number. Hardin states that his tribe of six alone cannot take Deltrada Garrison, and that they need expendable warriors to achieve that end. Ashtor disagrees vehemently with the idea of using their own people as sacrifices. Hardin retorts that there will be sacrifices no matter what is done, and that he has no choice. Ashtor sadly remarks that he thinks the Ermehn are destroying their honor, which is the one thing the Canid cannot take from them. Ending the conversation, Hardin walks through the camp of his new tribe.