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The Wardens have fallen from Power. Emperor Volstoi, the current Emperor, his power is waning. The Crusaders pull on their chains like rabid dogs. While the events of the Demon Wars in Epseranza are not known, nor are their after effects, it is Volstoi's hold that keep the Midnight Throne's claws away from attacking Esperanza's rich northern shores, to strike at the rich bounties.

It is thick in the air, the tension. Like blood on water. It is the time when cloak and dagger is used far more then the honorable Arenas, when Wardens and Crusaders alike are found dead with a knife in their back. It is a time when the common man is afraid of the deadly games the nobles play.

It is thick, in the air, the tension. Like blood on water.

****

While Auren never spoke of his homeland to anyone, he never did reveal how one late afternoon, he wound up with just the clothing and armor on his back, of an unknown make, nor the two b*****d swords at his waist. The exhausted wyvern, obviously trained for battle was also a new sight. His accent was strange, unusual, gutteral. He barely spoke a word of Common but that was how Auren Shiro, Kelswarren to the Emperor, wound up on the northern shores of Esperanza.

Of course, that was weeks after the beginning of the Crusader Wars.

****

Frostend 24, 1871; a year that would be remembered in the annals of history as the beginning of the Crusader Wars in Kasidia's archives. It was this day, that things rose to a fever pitch before breaking.

The head of House Annaly, was found dead at his morning breakfast, a black painted knife found in his back.

House Annaly was a major supporter of Emperor Volstoi.

The head of House Tallar, was also found dead at his morning breakfast, a black painted knife found in his back.

House Annaly was a major supporter of Emperor Volstoi.

The head of House Vala, was also found dead at her morning breakfast, a black painted knife found in her back.

All three houses renounced their support of Emperor Volstoi, putting forth the reasons of "the Emperor cannot protect us." More over, suspsicions arose as the Kelswarren, the elite branch of assassins, soldiers, and spies under the employ of the Emperor, were pointed to be the assassins. The knives found in the assassinated Heads were the same design as the ones Kelswarren use.

It is thick, in the air, the tension. Like blood on water

****

The events of Frostend 1871 lead up to the Crusader Wars, a devastating Civil War that wreaked havoc along the Kasidian Empire's length. It is this time that Emperor Volstoi sent a few Kelswarren he could still get word to, to scatter to the fourwinds and begin plotting. Secret Orders that were not even recorded in the deepest records of the Kelswarren's archives.

***

Auren Shiro, a man no one would recognize at this time, due to his age and his simply not existing in the world of Esperanza was outside in the early spring's dawn, moving through Steel Rain on an Iron Bulwark, to Wind's Dance on the Dune to Bladed Sunset. Each sword form weaved through air like water, the young Kelswarren keeping his movements deliberately slow. Not for practicing the form but sharpening his body. Much like Tai Chi, how it was strenous on the body when performed slowly yet was not so when done with lightning quick movements.

Auren practiced in the early spring's morning, his breath billowing about him as steam rolled off his body.