Somewhere in the North 5 years ago.<br/>A young noble woman sits with her council and addresses a group of hard faced dignitaries "This treaty would bring an end to the fighting that takes so many of our peoples lives. We have enough problems between the harsh cold and dangers we have thrived in since our relative inceptions to be fighting with each other. The realm is looking for a victory after their defeat at the hands of that barbarian Yurgane Kaneko. We need each other if we will get through whats ahead of us..."<br/><br/>Her speech continues but falls on deaf ears and the debate over who would do what or where various imaginary lines between neighboring city states rages on well into evening when it is interrupted by three of the dignitaries excusing themselves for the call of nature. After they have left the young noblewoman picks up" No one lives along this debated border why fight over empty snow..." The lanterns in the room suddenly go out as well as the fire in the hearth.<br/><br/>Several alarmed cries press there way into the darkness creating a certain chaos. Something slams the door to the chamber and the chaos is joined with the noises of wood splintering, drawn steel and the smell of smoke." Whats happening. Where are the Guards!" The young noblewoman shouts out of the darkness as the door explodes and a gout of flames spills through the door. Screams fill the room as the ceiling and walls writhe in flame and the air is replaced with smoke.<br/>**********************************<br/>The explosion in the palace could be heard everywhere. The son of a councilman staying at the palace wakes with a startle. His father is all that he can think of. From the chamber he shared with his father the explosion was so loud. He rushes out the door, down the hall and up a flight of stairs to arrive at the solid wooden antechamber door. It was hot to the touch and smoke writhed at its base. He wrapped himself in a tapestry and laid on the floor and grasped the solid iron ring and pulled. A whoosh of smoke and fire spills into and up the stairwell. He could see into the room now a man in jade is exiting the other end of the room and bodies litter the floor. His father is heaped on top of the noblewoman both badly burned.<br/><br/>A moment later he has them both dragged into the stairwell. They are breathing with difficulty and their clothes are<br/>fused to their skin but they live.<br/><br/>***********************************<br/>Today the 14Th of Resplendent Fire at the Wallport Inn<br/><br/>As circumstances have it Whisper has taken refuge from a Storm at an Inn in Wallport. A city of roughly 2000 people that entirely exist to service Whitewall as a port for unloading freight and conducting business. Almost all of the towns population are men.