Jon’s story South Malfer is ruled by four lords and each of them is the absolute ruler in his region. All the mines and all the production of arms are in their hands, and every man, in addition to paying the royal tax, must pay taxes and levies to his lord as well. In the region they rule, their word is the law.South Malfer is best known for its weapons production. From iron to steel, every lord in Malfer buys weapons from the four southern lords. Yet, even with huge investments in technology, human weapons cannot be compared to hardened elven silver. And while steel should cut silver without a problem because silver is a soft metal, that’s not the case.Something in the production of hardened silver makes it harder than steel. But the elves keep that secret well.Jon was a young blacksmith from Taras, a village in the south of Malfer, who learned the trade from his father. Most of the time they made ploughs, ho

Ghraht’s story  He was bred for the war. His father killed hundreds of their enemies before he himself was killed. His mother was one of the shamans of their tribe. Since he was two years old, he was prepared for carnage. By the time he was seven, he was taller and broader than boys twice his age. And he continued to grow. Ghtraht Del Tei was the most magnificent goblin specimen of the Tei tribe.By the age of nineteen, he had killed dozens of dwarves. Some of them with his bare hands. All the mothers in their tribe desperately wanted him for their son-in-law. Ghtraht’s mother rejected them all. The blood spoke to her long ago; her son was destined for great things. And it was his bride who would lead him to that greatness. Ghtraht didn't mind. He was not interested in marriage. When he turned twenty-four, he challenged his warlord to the cerem

Thea Thea was nervous. Her plan was unfolding too slowly and she was afraid she was running out of time. Her efforts to build the largest army in Raal were constantly hampered and even thwarted by idiotic sorcerers who did not know their place. Sometimes she wondered if it was all worth it. But then she would look at her son and all doubt would disappear. She would burn entire Raal if it meant her child was safe. Still, she had to do something about the rectors of the academies. If she managed to subdue the members of the high council, a few academic idiots shouldn’t pose a problem. But they did. She was bombarded with their letters, over and over again, demanding an explanation of her need for so many of their students in the Velas army. And then yesterday the bastards banded together, refusing to give more of their students. She had killed so many elves who had opposed her in recent y

Lara Lara was exhausted. After she arrived at the dwarven hub, she rode day and night to reach the elven capital. The horses were prepared in advance, so she would just jump on a fresh horse and ride on. Her arse was killing her. But she was finally in the elven capital, waiting to be summoned by the most powerful elf in Velas. Lady Sif was sitting at her desk. Lara wondered why the unusual ones always strive for power the most. Thea Sif didn't look like an elf. With slightly darker skin, much shorter in stature than any elf Lara knew, and rich dark hair, she could easily pass for a human. Even her eyes were unusual. Instead of the blue or green eyes that most elves had, hers were brown. She had a perky nose, small and dignified. Her only feature that was typically elven were her ears, long and pointed. And a cold determination in those deceitfully warm eyes. Lara was absolutely

High shaman After sending shamans to kill Shieena and the other Tei woman, the high shaman retreated to one of the northern temples, out of reach of the southern war chiefs. He now sat in the main room of the temple and listened to the reports. Not only did the shamans fail to kill the women but they botched the auxiliary plan also. Shieena was almost in his grasp but still managed to escape. To make matters worse, one of his would-be assassins pointed the finger at him, publicly. The day really couldn't have been worse. Except it got worse. His shamans were killed and expelled everywhere in the south, and the last straw was the blood feud that targeted him personally.He was furious. The audacity of these simpletons, challenging his spiritual guidance. Northern war chiefs started to gather around him. More simpletons. What he needed was a quick and decisive attack. But looking at thei