It was an ordinary day in Tanifier, faries were buzzing around, collecting fruits, nuts and working in general.<br/><br/>Ethalia, as always was in the library, humming as she put her books on the shelf, not a care in the world.<br/><br/>"Did you hear about the last Elder meeting, Eth?" Ethalia turned to look at her friend Anthea, a wind fairy with a fondness for political theory.<br/><br/>She sighed and turned back to her books "You know that stuff doesn't interest me Anth"<br/><br/>"You shouldn't hole away in your library, Eth. And this might actually impact our lives!"<br/><br/>Then again, Anthea believed everything would impact their lives, from the latest war a hundred kilometers away to the recent changes in succession from the neighbouring kingdom.<br/><br/>"Well the Elders were talking with the missionaries from the Kingdom of Maelstrum."<br/><br/>"Ah really." These missionaries had marched in a few days ago, carrying swords as well as words of prophets. Eth had thought most religions preached peace and tolerance so she'd been puzzled as to why they brought weapons of war. However she knew from Anthea's ramblings that Maelstrum's been expanding, almost reaching the quaint fairy town. Apparently they'd left in a hurry this morning. The rejection of assimilation by the Elders is probably why.<br/><br/>Today would have been a day like any other.<br/><br/>Except<span style="font-style: italic">they</span>came.