A dark and Stormy Night

It was a dark and stormy night. Black clouds unloaded sheet after countless sheet of rain upon the earth, bombarding the ground mercilessly as if to wash the earth away and drown it out. A lone figure fled up a dark road, struggling through the blinding rain and sinking mud. The figure held two bundles closely to her bosom and pressed on despite the torrents of rain. The continuous battle against the elements was worth the survival of her twin sons. Finally she spotted her objective. A lighted window. It shone out through the rain and beckoned to her. Struggling towards the window she forced herself to continue on until finally, she collapsed on the doorstep. Gathering her strength she pounded on the door feebly until it opened and she, along with her precious bundles, were hustled into the warm interior of the inn.

17 years later...

The rule of King Damian, Lord of Marovia, Guardian of the Crown was at its hardest cruelest ever. Never had the people of Marovia known such high taxes. All men of the age 17 and older were forced to serve in the army until the age of 25. Then they were released and allowed to work and live with their families in times of peace. Women were even recruited. They began being recruited for town watches. Bandits and clans warred everywhere King Damian was not and a man kept a knife within reach at all times if he valued his life. The only hope of rescue lay in an old prophecy. The prophecy said that two strangers and two brothers would bring peace and prosperity through times of war, and war would come with peace and prosperity.