Across the continent of Aethera, ripples of social and political change were passing from person to person, and nation to nation.

For years, the kingdom of storms, Rolde, had suffered under a devastating famine. The sun had shined and the rain had fallen. And, despite much study and education on the nature of planting, the crops consistently failed.

Questions arose about how such a tragedy could befall the powerful nation. But no answer could be found.

In desperation, the kingdom's eyes turned outward.

While the plight of the people of Rolde played out for years on end, their closest ally, the nation of Shadowsong, saw an opportunity.

In an obscure tavern in the countryside of Shadowsong, a young bard entertainer plied her trade.

The gathering listened as she plucked the strings of her instrument, their drink forgotten. Callie's tune was bittersweet and tragic. It was a song of mistakes, of traveling down a path one shouldn't.

There were no words, but the meaning was clear. And the people resonated with her message. War was on the horizon.

As the song finished, the young bard, Callie, hung her head low.

For a moment, the patrons sat in melancholic silence. A number of the men knew that they would soon be sent to battle. To kill and to die.

The kingdom of storms had begun its invasion of the kingdom of sunshine, a peaceful kingdom named Ellais.

Ellais was renowned across the continent for its wheat harvests, its abundant produce, and fat cattle. It had grown rich as the bread basket of the continent. But, in its prosperity, it had rarely known conflict. The incentives to maintain good relations with Ellais had always been higher than the incentives to do its people harm.

When Rolde declared war, and crossed its shared border with Ellais, the surrounding kingdoms declared their condemnation of the action. But, things were not right across the continent.

A plague had struck the people of Lumeria, the kingdom of light, that stood as an unparalleled beacon of justice. Its strategic power was crippled, and was failing to rally its armies to the defense of Ellais.

The kingdom of Celestria rallied its armies to the cause of the Ellaisians, but political discord was growing over the act. Other smaller nations anxiously watched as the superpowers of the continent began a war that could devastate them all.

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Shadowsong, predictably, flocked to Rolde's banner. The conscription had begun.

It would be false to say that there was no excitement among the masses of Shadowsong men and women for the war they were about to enter. The promise of riches and glory was enough to convince peasants of the gains to be had. But, there was also resentment for the call of duty that came with their brotherhood with Rolde.

Callie could feel the tragedy that would soon take place. It inspires her in a terrible way. And her talent spoke to the soul of the people.

After the moment of silence passed, Callie raised her head and smiled serenely at her audience.

Men and women clapped and banged their mugs upon the tables. It wasn't a raucous clamor of adulation. Merely a unified demonstration of appreciation for a song beautifully performed.

Callie left the small stage and approached the bar. She'd be paid later when the night's tips were gathered.

Despite the mournful nature of her music, the young bard appeared at ease. Comfortable and smiling for her patrons as they approached to praise her.

"Where did you learn to play?" a young man asked, his smile one of infatuation.

Callie's face was a professionally accommodating mask. Her smile was well practiced to appear genuine and endearing.

"Oh, I'm a graduate from Melody Hall. I spent years practicing with my lute. It was an amazing opportunity."

The young man's eyes sparkled, "You're from one of the bastions? That's awesome. I… I hope that I can be recognized by the Hall of Legends when the war ends."

For a moment, the mask Callie wore, her endearing smile, faltered. The Hall of Legends was the bastion of the warriors of Aetheria. Only the most renowned fighting men and women could be recognized.

To be recognized by the Hall of Legends, one would have to kill many other warriors in battle. The number of young men who had died with the ambition of entering the Hall could not be counted.

But, just as her smile faltered, Callie forced it back into place.

"I will sing of your valor and glory when the day comes that you enter the Hall of Legends. What's your name?"

The young man puffed up his chest at the promise of being the inspiration for her music and the ambition of his spirit.

"I'm Maxfield. I would be very honored to have you sing of me."

Callie nodded. She would try to remember his name. But, knew in her heart that he would not enter the legends of Aetheria.

"Thank you, Maxfield. It's noble warriors like you that give me hope for the future."

The young man chatted away for a while before being pulled back to a table by a friend.

Callie let out a breath, more exhausted than usual.

The tender across the bar smiled tenderly at her.

"You need to start playing more cheerful music, Callie. It's not good for a woman your age to be so depressed."

The young bard looked at the man, her smile not quite so professional.

"Give me something happy to sing about."

The bartender looked from her to the young man with his friend and shook his head.

"There will be happy times to come. But we have to bring them about. People believe what you convince them to believe. Change your song and you can change the people."

Callie felt somewhat enlightened by the man's words.

"I'll try."