From the journals of Darrin Trailsong, Master Bard

Imagine, if you will, a quiet little town-- a village, really-- situated on an inland lake. It's not a big lake, just large enough to support a little light boating on a pleasant summer's day. Like today, for example. That's where I am. Boating... and thinking.

Some folks might think that a bit strange for me to do-- boating, I mean. After all, I'm a traveler by nature and a musician by trade, not a lifelong fisherman like ol' Selmo, or even really a pleasure boater like many vacationing folk who come to visit our little town. And I'm supposed to prefer dry land these days compared to someplace like good old Lake Doric-- but as my lover Alis would tell you, I've always been a master at doing the unexpected. I guess that's why I've survived this long.

But according to one of the young monks at Ashford Abbey, things are about to change-- and change drastically. Not about my survival; the good monk's already assured me that I would somehow live through what's about to happen. But other things might, he said. Like the people in my life: my wife, my friends. And my "child", as it were, my little inn and taproom... my own private sanctum sanctorum. And even my plans for the next few months... whatever those were to begin with. You know, I've still never quite figured out how they're able to divine the future like they do... must be something in that Book of Secrets they're always going on about.

So I guess this is really my last good chance to enjoy myself and take in the peace and beauty surrounding my life and my home. And that, I guess, is why I'm out in this little dinghy. Dipping my feet into the clear waters of Lake Doric. Looking at the myriad buildings on the shoreline that make up my home in Ascalon's glorious countryside. Staring at the distant spectacle that is the world famous skyline of Rin, always being built or added to at many a merchant's whim. And looking at the inn-- rather, at my inn-- The Whispering Wyvern Inn, the very first place I ever played an instrument for money, imported piece by piece from the great city itself. (Okay, so it was actually a neat bit of spellcraft, but saying "imported piece by piece" just sounds a bit classier and frankly, a bit better.)

Which is where that young monk told me that my adventure was about to begin...