The Prince had dreams of power, and was an avid participant in the Accordance War, even being rumored to have taken part in the Night of Iron Knives. After the announcement of the Queen’s pregnancy, he locked himself in the library within the Duchy of the Book, searching for a way to bring himself to power. In his research, he came across a dark legend from the days of the Tesserakonta, a mysterious servant of the Fomorian Green Court known only as Belegur the Dark, renowned for subtle curses and magicks. Gathering together those who served him, Tarannon began preparing arcane rituals, to try to revive Belegur from the Dreaming, and to compel him into the service of the ambitious Prince.

In her fourth month of pregnancy the Queen fell deathly ill without any warning. She fell so deeply into sickness that the Crystal Circle came to help, and even they, and the learned Fae of Tara Nar could not find reason for it. The same night the Queen first took sick, there was a mysterious explosion in the Duchy of the Book, and one of the libraries that Tarannon had established was wiped from the face of the earth…but amidst the turmoil of the Queen’s illness, the matter was overlooked. The darkness that had befallen was kept secret from the people as best as it could be…but the land could feel the King’s pain, and soon great snows came. The snow fell harder in the year of 1978 than ever before, so great that it caused the Great Lakes blizzard of ’78 that struck even the mundane world.

Appearing for the first time in months, Prince Tarannon came to his brother three months after the Queen had fallen into a coma from her sickness, behind him a hunched man in dark green robes. The Prince said the man was a mystic who had just crossed over from the Dreaming, and his memory of Arcadia and of the magicks of old were great, and that he could help. In his grief and despair over the state of his wife and unborn child, Tristan consented, and so allowed the man to examine the Queen.

“Your child shall be a girl, oh King,” the mystic spoke after an hour of silent study, “and when she is born she will live to be fine and strong…but your wife, shall not be so lucky...and may not survive even to childbirth.” The King hit his knees and began to weep that his truest love should die.

“Oh cruel fate! Fickle and uncaring fate! What must I do to save my love…I would sacrifice, my lands, my title, even my life but do not take her, please!” The King buried his face into his wife’s side and so did not see his brother’s grin.

“I can perhaps save both of their lives, Majesty,” the mystic spoke, though already knowing the answer he would receive,” and all I require is for you to give one promise before I begin, and grant me one wish, once I have saved them.”

“I care not for anything but her! Do you hear me?” The King shouted, so distraught that he put his own feelings above all.

“Then speak this promise, King Tristan, that you would give of your own life-force to fuel the magicks I am about to attempt, that you will give even unto your own death until I have finished.”

The King did so right then and there, swearing on his eternal soul, and on the memory of Arcadia – a most potent oath. His dark laugh echoing the Prince’s, the mystic threw back his ragged cloak, revealing himself as Belegur the Dark. Grasping the King’s wrist, the dark one began to chant in a deep voice, and began to drain the life out of Tristan into himself, strengthening his power even further.

Finishing abruptly, the King looked up to see Belegur once again wrapped in his cloaks and robes, and then down, to see his wife’s color returning, and her breathing returning to normal. Overjoyed, the King began to cry, and reached out to touch his wife’s face…but the hand of Belegur clamped over his once more, and reminded the King of his vow, to grant one wish.

Completely single-minded, the King spoke “anything”…and Belegur commanded the King to have the Heartstone of the Kingdom brought into the room they were in. Compelled by his oath, the King did so, and presented it to Belegur. Prince Tarannon, thinking that he had control over the dark mystic, reached a hand out for it…but Belegur served no mere Sidhe, and he struck down the Prince, draining his energy in similar fashion to what he did to Tristan.

Now prepared, Belegur worked his darkest magick, and cast a ritual that turned the Heartstone into a mystical prison-realm, part of but wholly separate from the Dreaming. Tristan, in impotent fury, could do nothing but hold his wife’s warm body. Arrogant in his victory, Belegur told the King exactly what would happen, that all the people of the Kingdom would be drawn into this pocket-realm he had created. Using the power from their Fae souls, he said, he would ascend and become a mighty Warlock-King, ruling over the Shimmering Waters without a care.

A wave of cold air struck the land as the King watched his world begin to fade away from him into a cold gray sheen. Then, just before his own end, he made one last utterance, a last attempt at redemption for his grand mistake that would now cause harm to all the land he loved and ruled. The King, calling upon reserves that even Belegur was unaware of, made an oath to the Dreaming…what he promised in return is unknown. In return for his oath, he asked for his daughter to know happiness instead of the harsh times that he knew, and for her to reclaim her birthright before the evil Belegur could cause permanent harm. With those words, the King, Queen, and all of the people of the land…disappeared.

When the Queen awoke, she found herself in what appeared to be the castle, except that something was…different…darker. What’s more, her husband was nowhere to be seen. Realizing something was wrong, she and others from the Castle gathered in the Great Hall…and eventually they figured out what had happened. They were trapped, unable to get back to the world they knew, trapped in a world that was a sad mockery of the real world, and of the Dreaming. Apparently the scope of this prison-realm was the castle and the surrounding grounds, and all the people of the land who survived the ritual (since many died in the process of being taken to the prison-realm) were trapped there, until they too died, or until they escaped.

The stress of their plight was too much for the Queen, and prematurely she fell into the cycle of childbirth, and her midwives attended her quickly. The birth of Charis was too much for Queen Selia, and she died in giving birth to her daughter. Just before the end, knowing she would live to see her daughter grow and prosper, a miracle occurred. The Queen’s golden heart of love for her child was formed into a medallion that appeared around the child’s neck. It was a necklace that could not be removed, in spite of the greatest of magicks bent to do so.

Back in the Shimmering Waters, Belegur set into motion the second part of his plan. Using a bit of the energy gained from the Fae trapped within his prison-realm, the dark mystic created an enchantment that covered the land in a fog of concealment, giving all passers-by and visitors a feeling of peace, that nothing at all was wrong. Also using this same energy, he created false-simacularum of the people of the Shimmering Waters, so there was no suspicion of foul play. Due to the magicks of the wizard, no new Fae came to settle in the Kingdom for many years, and things progressed quietly, with little outward change.

In the prison-realm, the efforts of all the people was bent on escape…and in keeping themselves alive long enough to break free. After close to a year of bending their wills on nothing else, they discovered a way they could send someone through to the world they left, but it carried with it great risk. The less glamour inherent in the person that was sent, the less their chances…after much debate, it was decided that Charis, their child Queen, should be sent. Stumbling through a nightmarish journey, Charis emerged in the real world, more disoriented than even the Sidhe were during the Resurgence.

Easily discovered and captured by Belegur, the Warlock-King, she was imprisoned in the tallest tower of his haven, a quarter-mile-high structure wrought of solid obsidian, situated in the middle of the Wild-lands of the Shimmering Waters, known as Minnesota mundanely. Her disorientation was further complicated by the Warlock’s magicks, which befuddled the young Queen, and kept her without memory of anything before her living in the tower of Belegur,called Bara-Mor.

Nightly, Belegur would stand, hidden by his magicks, in Charis’ room as she prepared for bed, and as she slept. He knew that he should kill her, but something always prevented it, and it was most baffling to him. Her presence was a large distraction, and perhaps kept him from adequately seeing the portents of things that were to come.

October 1997 came about, and the curse that was FimbleWinter spread across Concordia, the Kithain of the Shimmering Waters found themselves amidst the silver lining. The banal force behind this wave damaged the magicks active in Shimmering Waters, and cracked the Heartstone that contained the prison-realm, dislodging all of the surviving inhabitants of the Kingdom, all into the Palace. Acting quickly to prevent a warning getting outside of the Shimmering Waters, Belegur sealed the palace shut tight…neglecting the separate tower where Charis was held.

Along with the prison-realm, the enchantments over the land disappeared, and soon other Kithain began to move into the area, beginning just after the Fae of Concordia had recovered from FimbleWinter. A group of Fae led by Duke Ian the Fair ap Fiona, marched into what is mundanely known as Iowa, and laid claim to it as the Duchy of Oaks, bordering the Wild Lands to their North.

One of Ian’s favorite past-times was to lead a small band of mounted hunters into the Wild Lands, seeking to remove dangerous beasts from the lands. On one such occasion, fate struck, and changed the destiny of the land forever.

Alone from his hunting party, having followed his intuition, Ian went further North than he ever had before…and came across a young beautiful Sidhe maiden, clad in a scratched and torn gown, her shining golden hair reflecting the light of the sun peeking through the trees in the forest. He called out to her, naming her Culurien, “Golden Maiden” and though she was disoriented, he took her with him and his hunters, back to the Duchy of Oaks.

Charis marveled greatly at Duke Ian, for never had she seen a man dressed in armor and regalia like his before, and she was greatly impressed by his gleaming armor and his flashing sword. On their way, the hunting party engaged in combat with a group of Griffins. Leaving her with their horses nearby, they waded in to do battle, and to protect their charge. The Duke fought valiantly, and soon this noble Sidhe and his men defeated the beasts. The Griffins left hurriedly, but not before one of them tried to make a grab at Charis as it flew nearby. Acting quickly, his aim true, Ian threw his sword like a spear, landing a perfect blow to the Griffin’s back, bringing it to the ground, dead, a mere foot from Charis. Rushing to her side to make sure was unhurt, he found his mouth no longer worked, and he stared at her beauty. She was filled with such joy that she did not understand, having been kept from all such things in Belegur’s tower, that she fell into his arms in a swoon.

Ian learned from her of the dark tower in the heart of the Wild Lands, and he knew that something must be done. After messengers to the King’s Palace did not return (and being that the enchantment of peace over the land had lifted), Ian was suspicious, and prepared a military force to go and investigate. Leaving the fair Culurien behind at his castle, his army marched and came to the Palace, and broke the seals, allowing all of the surviving citizens of the Shimmering Waters, still in large number, from captivity.

As they were freed, much like Charis, they were disoriented, and had Forgotten much. They told the tale of the child Queen Charis, and how she had been sent forth to try to save them…but Ian’s mind was on preparing to lay siege to the Wild Lands, and he did not make the connection to his fair lady Culurien. Among the refugees was Connor MacClannon, son of Prince Tarannon. As none save the King and Belegur were in the room where Tarannon’s treason was revealed, none suspected anything foul of this child, and even during their captivity, Connor had been instrumental in finding a way for his cousin Charis to escape. Rumors abounded from the disoriented Fae, that Connor’s mother was not the Prince’s wife…but there was no doubting that he was his father’s son.

Raising an even greater army than before, and aided by the Red Branch Knights, Duke Ian went into the heart of the Wild Lands, to the very gates of Bara-Mor, and his forces did fight in a great battle with that of Belegur. Good won the day, and Belegur was “captured” (though one must wonder if this was by design). Belegur, kneeling before the victorious Duke Ian, swore an oath to never again cause harm to the people of the Shimmering Waters. Ian, being the honorable victor, stripped Belegur of all but his ragged dark green cloak, and sent him on his way, declaring him banished from the land. Belegur disappeared, and was never seen by mortal eyes from that day forth.

The Duke returned with much pomp and fanfare to his castle, and upon his return announced his intention to marry his lady Culurien. She was such a beauty that he thought it to be the hand of Fate that dealt him such a catch. Charis was so grateful to him for rescuing her and saving her life that she agreed. Time passed, until at last the day of the wedding arrived. Many courtiers from across the recovering Shimmering Waters were in attendance, and joy was in the air. Just as the Duke and Charis were about to exchange their vows, a ghostly apparition of Belegur appeared to the visions of Charis and Ian alone, and laid a curse upon the Fiona Duke:

"Beware, Duke of Oaks, for this woman does not love you. If you vow to take her as your wife, she shall betray and abandon you, and then you shall surely die. This is the curse I lay upon you, Ian the Fair." And before the Duke could do anything, the vision vanished without a trace. The guests were concerned with the strange pause in the bride and groom, and looked about, not knowing what to do. Concerned, Ian turned to his bride and quietly asked if they had heard was true. Charis, who truly knew nothing of love, was mistaking her feelings of gratitude for feelings of love.

She said to Ian, "No, milord, the dark one has lied for I do love you." She honestly believed what she said was the truth, and with a smile in his eyes the Duke knew her words to be faithful. So they were wed, and for a time they and the Duke’s lands were happy.

But the demands on the Duke were great, as those once-refugee Kithain needed organization and leadership in order to rebuild what once was their peaceful Kingdom. Charis was often alone with nothing to do. One afternoon as she sat in her chamber, staring out the window at the fighters' practice field, and was reminded of her life in Belegur’s tower - how Ian had freed her through the use of arms. She watched with intent as the older knights taught the younger men and women how to hack and slash with their swords, how to block with their shields, how to couch their lances for a charge, and how to hurl their spears for assault.

She resolved that very day to never again be a prisoner, helpless at the hands of anyone. She told her husband Ian that she intended to train as a knight without delay. "But why, my sweet?" asked her husband. "I shall always protect you."

"That may be, m’lord," replied Charis, "but I wish to be able to protect myself as well, and not be a hapless damsel for the rest of my life."

Seeing that she had her mind set upon it, he gave his consent and arranged for her training. Though Ian wasn't happy, she insisted on dwelling in the long, narrow fighters' house with the other young warriors. And though she was older than most of the trainees, she learned quickly and soon surpassed everyone else in skill, bravery, and sharpness.

Late that summer, an envoy arrived from Tara Nar to examine and survey the rebuilt lands of the Shimmering Waters. They were led by one of the Red Branch Knights, Sir William Fordric ap Gwydion, who brought with him his best squire Riordian Ulric. When William saw Charis upon the training field practicing her swordplay, he knew that one-day she would make a fine warrior. If she was as adept in court as she was with a blade, a good wife to some noble - perhaps one of the finest in all of Concordia. So he inquired of her to Duke Ian.

"She is my wife," said the Duke. "And though I've told her it isn't necessary, she insists upon training to be as a knight."

"Her passion for fighting is great," said Sir William. "And her spirit is obviously that of a warrior. She will make an excellent knight some day Your Grace. Therefore I beseech you, my lord Duke, to allow me to take her to Tara Nar, where I may personally oversee the completion of her training, and where High King David himself may dub her knight."

The Duke was reluctant to be separated from his wife, but Sir William insisted that it would do her well – that when she returned, she would be the best champion in all of Concordia. With much hesitation Ian agreed, for however much he would miss her – he and his lands were in need of strong and true knights.

So it came to be that Sir William asked Charis if she would like to be his squire and accompany him to Tara Nar. She was so excited that a knight as great as William would wish to personally train her and she agreed at once, taking the vows of a squire unto him. Then Sir William, Squire Riordian, and Squire Charis left for Tara Nar.

For the next several months, Sir William trained Riordian and Charis side by side, and soon it became very difficult for the knight to tell which of his squires was the better. Riordian and Charis grew quickly to be the best of friends, which pleased William, for he loved them both as his own family. As time passed and they grew closer, Riordian and Charis came to discover that their feelings for one another were very strong. But since neither had ever experienced such deep emotions, their feelings confused them. Sir William however, who was more familiar with such things, saw the truth and told them they were in love with one another.

It was then that Charis realized that Belegur had been right all along. Thoughshe cared deeply for Ian, she did not love him as she loved Riordian. But she also remembered the curse that the Warlock had laid upon them - if Charis were to leave Ian, he would surely die.

Sir William saw the conflict within her heart, and he knew there was only one way to resolve it. So he took both his squires to the wisest seer in the lands, Ambrosius Dreamwater of House Gwydion. When they arrived, the seer hailed Riordian and Charis as though they were lovers. Sir William began to explain the situation, but Ambrosius cut him off, saying it was not necessary, for he had been following the threads of their lives for some time.

Then he turned to the couple and told them, "Riordian and Charis, it is your destiny to be joined in Sacred Union - but not now. If you were to exchange vows at this time, you would negate the vows Charis swore to Ian, and the Duke would surely die. This cannot be, for if the Duke dies in this fashion, your lives will be forever held captive under the shadow of death. "Therefore," he continued, "you must wait until the curse has been lifted before you can begin to build your life together."

Charis, who definitely had no desire to see Ian dead on her account, inquired how to lift the curse. Ambrosius told them that the evil seed left by the dark mystic Belegur must be found, "For even as the Duke fought to free you, so you must fight Belegur to free Ian." Charis and Riordian accepted these words, for they “felt” them to be true. They returned to Tara Nar and completed their training. And on Twelfth Night, High King David himself bestowed upon them the accolades of knighthood, amid much celebration. Sir Riordian and Lady Charis remained at Tara Nar for another month, spending much time together talking and embracing. But Candlemas arrived, and it was time for Charis to return to the Duchy of Oaks. It was with heavy hearts that Riordian and Charis parted.

Once Charis was gone from Tara Nar, Riordian fell into sorrow. Sir William saw his young friend's despair, and he knew the reason for it. "It is not seemly for you to sulk this way," said William. "Rise and ask the King to allow you to leave the Court and become a land holder within the Shimmering Waters, you have served many years since your childhood for him, and I am certain he has not forgotten that. Then you may ride the length and breadth of the land, performing deeds of valor and winning honor. Perhaps you may find some word of where this Belegur may be found."

Sir Riordian saw the wisdom of these words, so he begged David's leave, which the King gladly gave. In thanks for his many years of service to the High King, Riordian left Tara Nar as ruler of a newly created Duchy in the midst of the Shimmering Waters’ Great Lakes. Duke Riordian over saw the Duchy of Sweet Water, mundanely known as Michigan (but not the Upper Peninsula). Often he found young men and women he thought would make good knights, and he sent them to Tara Nar for Sir William to train. Winter cane and passed and still Riordian had found no word of Belegur, though he had looked everywhere in the lands of Sweet Water and the whole of Shimmering Waters. Twice he passed through the Duchy of Oaks, but he would not stop at the castle of Duke Ian for fear of his love for Charis being discovered. He had heard, however, of how valiantly Charis fought when leading the Duke's war band against the enemies of the Duke’s lands to their North, and these words filled him with joy, as did any word he heard about his beloved Charis.

At last, Riordian entered the Wild Lands in the far north of the Duchy of Oaks. There he heard tales of a dark magus who was terrorizing the countryside. Riordian went at once in pursuit of this villain, and he found Belegur near the site of his demolished Bara-Mor tower. In fact it was not Belegur himself, but rather a chimerical copy of himself that he left behind, to try to rebuild his evil in the Shimmering Waters. The Duke offered a challenge to single combat, and they fell at once into combat.

For hours they battled, until at last Riordian emerged the victor. The magus yielded and begged for mercy. Riordian hesitated, for though he hated the mystic for the evil deeds he had done to Charis, as a Knight he learned that it would be a great dishonor to slay anyone who begged for mercy. He knew also that Belegur must be alive to lift the curse from Duke Ian.

As such, Riordian granted the man his life, on the condition that he would go at once to the Duchy of Oaks to lift the curse on Ian and place himself in the custody of Charis, to do with him as she willed. This Belegur swore to, and he left at once for the Duchy of Oaks.

The false Belegur arrived in the court of Duke Ian, but instead of lifting the curse and yielding to Charis' judgment, he threatened to return to his evil ways in the Kingdom. Ian was infuriated, but before he could do or say anything, Charis challenged Belegur to single combat, so astute and sharp was she that she noticed that he had been injured by some other battle recently. Belegur set the following terms for the duel: if Charis won, he would lift the curse on Ian, but if he won, she must return with him to his tower in the Wild Lands, and consent to do all he wished, for as long as he wished. Seeing now both the chance to set things right, and finding determination in her fear of being a prisoner ever again, she agreed to the terms.

The pair went to the fields and battled for a good long while, and at last Charis grievously wounded the mystic (who fought like a demon in armed combat), so much that he yielded. Charis pressed him to lift the curse, which he did at last. Then, before anyone could attend to his wounds, the copy of Belegur yielded up his ghost, and passed beyond.

There was great celebration that night, as the Duke had finally been freed of his curse. But through it all, Charis was somber, and Ian saw that something weighed heavily upon her heart. So he took her aside to speak with her privately.

"I know what troubles you, dear wife," he said. "For some time I have known of your love for Duke Riordian…no, do not try to deny it, for it is the truth. I do not lay any blame upon you, for I should never have married you in the first place. You were young and naive, but I loved you so much, and I thought you would grow to love me as well.”

"I know now that I was headstrong and foolish, for I am not your destined mate, just as you are not mine. Still, you have stayed with me these years, helping me protect the Duchy of Oaks from our enemies and ensuring that the dark one’s curse did not cause my death. You have acted with honor and compassion, and for that I love you greatly, and owe you more than I can ever repay.”

As tears filled both their eyes, Duke Ian continued, "Since I do still love you, I cannot keep you here in misery, for then I would be no better than Belegur. Therefore, since the curse has been lifted, I will release you from your wedding vows. You may be joined with Duke Riordian with my blessings."

When Charis saw that Ian was sincere, she rejoiced though a part of her also grieved that she should have to break Ian's heart in order to be united with Riordian. She was unsure what to do next, so she returned with Ian to the feast hall.

Upon their return, she found that Duke Riordian had arrived from the North. Riordian was overjoyed to hear that Charis had vanquished Belegur (since none knew it to merely be a copy of the dark one) and lifted the curse, but he did not know how to help her to be free of her vows to Ian. Cleverly, Charis sat quietly watching her true love and her husband trying to find a way to let herself be happy with her love and not shame her husband. Finally a mischievous plot came to her mind and quickly she whispered it to her husband. Ian saw at once the genius of the plan and that it would allow everyone to have what they desired, while still retaining honor for all.

In the midst of the feast, Duke Ian suddenly rose and in apparent anger accused Duke Riordian of loving too well his wife, Culurien. Duke Riordian was about to deny this, but Charis gave him a secret sign and a hidden wink that only they two shared. Somewhat reluctantly, in front of all of Duke Ian’s guests, he confessed that he indeed loved Charis and desired nothing so much as to be married to her and remain with her for the rest of his days.

Then the Duke turned to his wife and accused her of loving Duke Riordian. Charis took her cue, falling to her knees amidst feigned tears, confessing that she loved them both and could not choose between them.

Riordian suddenly understood the ruse at last, and he said, "My Noble Peer, I would sooner die than cause dishonor to either you, Lady Charis, nor myself…none may ever call me villain. But since Charis cannot choose between us, let us put the matter into the hands of Fate. We shall engage in a Fior - personal combat, and Fate will grant victory to the man they believe Charis should be united with."

Duke Ian readily agreed to this plan, and he asked Charis if she would abide by the outcome of the Fior. She said that she would, for she truly saw no other way to resolve the situation. So all three, and also everyone in the court agreed, each honestly knowing that this was the best way to resolve the situation.

Early the very next morning, Dukes Ian and Riordian met on the field, and both swore solemn oaths to abide by the outcome of the battle. Then, in front of the entire court, the combat began. Though they both fought well, Ian knew that he must allow Riordian to win, for only then would Charis be truly happy. He began planning to feign an injury and yield, when Riordian suddenly struck such an honest and solid blow that the Duke fell to the ground in a near-swoon. Then indeed Ian knew for certain that it was the will of fate that Riordian should win, and he yielded.

All of the witnesses and court agreed that the matter had been honorably settled, and none protested when Ian and Charis released one another from their wedding vows. So it was that Riordian and Charis were able to join together without being accused of villainy, and Duke Ian retained his honor – as it was the will of Fate that determined these events, not the will, or failings of any one man.

So, amidst much joy, Riordian and Charis returned to Tara Nar for their wedding. Charis brought forth all her jewels and a lovely gown spun of dreamstuff and moonlight. Upon her neck was her only possession from the time of Belegur, the necklace that she had kept with her the whole of her life, unable to be removed even while in the mystic’s tower prison. The necklace was old and beautiful to be certain but little did Charis know that the necklace held tightly a key to her past and title. She was the daughter of the lost King Tristian and Queen Selia of the Kingdom of Shimmering Waters, the heir to its throne! Upon seeing the charm openly and clearly (for the last time it was hidden beneath her armor) it was known immediately to Ambrosius Dreamwater, and also to the High King’s own seers who she truly was. Indeed this was a great night…not only the night two true loves would be wed but also the night that Shimmering Waters found its Queen!

So in the presence of High King David and his court, Duke Riordian and Queen Charis were joined in Sacred Union, followed hotly by a celebration in the Shimmering Waters that lasted for 60 days and 60 nights.

After the wedding Queen Charis and Prince Riordian returned to Caer Faylinn in the Duchy of Sweet Water. Since the beginning of their last ordeal with the evil mystic and their absence, a great storm had grown over a great part of the Duchy. Upon their grand return it suddenly stopped, and the Heartstone of the Kingdom was found, whole and unblemished, now that the land had a true ruler once again. Loyal to High King David, befriended the new King of Pacifica Ambrosius Dreamwater and the ever-loyal Sir William, the golden era of the Shimmering Waters could begin again, wrapped in love as it had long ago.

All things were calm and peaceful and quiet, as Queen Charis and Prince Riordan settled into their new life together in the Shimmering Waters. Connor, the Queen’s cousin, was named ArchDuke (the inability to prove his true lineage on both sides of the family preventing the title of Prince). Also, in addition to Duke Ian the Fair, the rest of the Royal Court was appointed, but only in the areas where they were needed, mainly in defense and over Duchies.

The Order of Warders were created, an armed force stationed along the border of the Wild Lands, given full autonomy within the boundaries to mete out justice as they saw honorable, and as they saw fit. Their mandate is to do what they can to keep dangerous beasts, and bandits, out of the rest of the Kingdom…but with so few numbers, even they cannot be everywhere at once, and often things sneak out of the Wild Lands at night.

Years passed, until 2002, when without any warning whatsoever, a great earthquake struck nearly the entire Kingdom. Many memories of the past, especially concerning the coming of Belegur, suddenly were remembered by those who had forgotten…and in the earth-shaking, many places in the Dreaming that were once hidden. Among these are the Black Cathedral in Chicago, the White Tower in Chicago, the Castle of Joy in Detroit, and the Silver Portal in St. Louis, were now brought fully into the Near Dreaming, where all Fae could now see, or visit any of them.

Mystics in the Kingdom are prophesizing that this earthquake is a result of Belegur’s death – that his spirit has finally left the land, and as such all his magicks have faded. Even with this sudden surge of memories, many Kithain in the land are unconvinced…and many Soothsayers see a dark cloud hanging over the now-peaceful Kingdom…one that is a mystery to all.