Erovus and Calista

Before the seas plunged the vast lands of what was known as Valtaran, before the Eldest descended from Aetherion, before the Plumed Dread took power in Valesseria, hear now the tale of Erovus and Calista, of a love unbroken and tested beyond limit.

''In a land far from here, in a time beyond ours, a young girl by the name of Calista was renowned throughout the realm for her kindness. The daughter of poor farmers who claimed nothing to their name other than the union of their blood, Calista knew nothing of gold yet was wealthy herself through what purity of goodness lay within her. By all lips was she praised, with no tongue having the cruel mettle to call her anything less than what she deserved.''

''So much did people give her their laudation, the proud Keeper Delaria felt a twinge of envy within her. The people never praised her for her deeds, for her services. They only spoke of her name in whispered hushes of fear, refusing to consort with anything of her realm. And yet this girl, a mortal of all beings, had received more respect in one cycle of the sun than what she had ever gotten. And so a fell fire awoke within her cold bosom, an untamable disgust which spurred her cruel rest to wake from its restless slumber.''

''The Lady of Retribution decided henceforth to cast aside her deific splendor for the modest takings of a mortal and walk upon the realm to judge the measure of the girl's worth herself. She mused in grand pleasure as her mind began to roil with glimpses of sordid lies she weaved of the girl, at which long last did her fury dwindled to a mere spiteful conceit, to which lay a comfortable pleasure in her heart.''

''So with a simpering visage, she entered the village and caught her eyes upon the girl, a rather unassuming and unremarkable mortal who was tending to her little garden. Upon seeing the newcomer, Calista dropped her tools and grinned with pure radiance at Delaria. She gave the ''