Chapter 1

As stories go, this is a very old one. It happened long ago, when myths were real and legends were being born.

During his required visit to his allies’ provinces, the young king, Leonakis, fell in love with the oldest sovereign daughter of Thesolaphalis. As luck would have it, she also fell in love with him.

Although he was young, he was not without wisdom. Through subtle questioning the young king discovered that his love had been promised to another since birth. A promise not easily broken. A promise if broken, would likely lead to war.

Leonakis was a compassionate king. A good king. Although he would forfeit all he had to be with his love, he would not have others die for it. He had to find a way to be with his love and not start a war.

And to complicate matters, as with most ancient stories, there were many other players involved.

The young king had attracted the eye of more than the princess. A minor goddess of the forest, Caissa, had watched the king as he journeyed through her woods. Caissa was determined to make Leonakis one of her human servants – a life-long position – so she could enjoy his company until she tired of him.

Unlike Leonakis, she already had a plan. It included the bonus of making the princess the cause of her own tragedy. As the princess was falling asleed, a nymph (known as a fairy in some lands) fluttered up to her ear and whispered.

.