Part I
Five witches traipsed into the palace this morning, road-weary and half starved.
They claim to be the lost Heirs of Riven, though they have no remarkable power to display.
A power lost, they say, due to the fall of the Veil and the commoner queen now occupying Riven’s throne.
Such was only the beginning of their tale.
They spoke of a prophecy and a crown—one that could banish Malum forever, should I lend my army to their cause.
Nonsense, my councilors claim. The witches cannot be trusted. And yet, if what they say is true, it could mean the return of the lands that were stolen from us by the usurper White Kings. The glory of a new empire, one steeped in magic. Tempting thoughts, indeed.
For now, we shall keep the witches here and see what comes of it. If nothing, they will be easy enough to dispose of.
—From the personal writings of King Frances, Rycinthia