[Orevian's Point of View]

I was never a snow enthusiast. That is why I enjoyed my time as we travelled south to Northrest, a neighboring kingdom just south of the Northenhein Mountains, which bordered our home kingdom, Ororer's Keep. The caravan we were in consisted of 6 wagons, with ours being in the middle, to keep us safe. While I was away from the kingdom, and with my uncle, Duke Oren Ballister ruling the kingdom, I allowed myself a moment of peace. My name, is Orevian Ballister, a prince and heir to my father, King Orastor Ballister.

I always admired my father ever since I was a child. I was always inspired by his bravery and talent in combat, along with his ability to rule one of the biggest kingdoms in Avalion. His sword, Maradieth, was passed down from generations ever since the first king that ruled the Northern Island. One day, when I become the king, I will be able to wield that sword and let it taste blood as I use it in battle.

What always captivated me ever since I was a child were the legends and myths my grandmother used to tell me. One of those legends I always loved is that of Orevion and Oranus, the two Ballister brothers, who fought to reclaim the throne all those years ago... It inspires me to think I have the blood of legends running through me very veins...

Our house has lasted in the lands of Avalion for generations, all originating back to the first human to ever arrive, Ororer Ballister, Builder of Keeps, and The First King. According to legends told by our elders, Ororer Ballister arrived by ship coming from an unknown land in The Unknown beyond the fog around 15 centuries ago. When he arrived along with his 500 ships, each carrying women and children along with strong men. He led them across harsh terrain, and over steep mountains, until they settled way up north, where they would build his keep, and the towns that they would reside in.

Ororer Ballister would have the throne given to his son, Oreis Ballister, who would be known as The First Gold King, for he would be the first to oversee the First Golden Age of their kingdom, also known as The Age of Three Kings, which lasted 110 years. He would then have the throne given to his brother, Orevon Ballister, who would be known as The Second Gold King, and The King who Soared, for he expanded the kingdom across all the four corners of the Northern Island, soaring his wings and covering all of the North under the shadows of his kingdom.

Next in line, was King Oreon Ballister, who was named The Young Madman, or even Oreon the Mad. He was given the throne at the young age of 17. Spoiled and manipulated by his mother, Queen Consort Emilia Ballister, he would bring about the end of The First Golden Age as he filled his administration with corruption and greed. The Kingdom would fall into a dark age called The Age of Blood, which would only last around 100 years.

The next heir to the throne was King Orelius Ballister, who would be known as The Exile King. After years under the rule of his father, Oreon the Mad, the people of their kingdom revolted against the new throne and stormed the keep one snowy night. According to legend, all of the kingdom gathered with swords, daggers, and burning torches in front of the keep and bashed the gates open. They stormed the castle, taking all jewelries that they could find while others kept the guards at bay. They ravaged all of the castle chambers and even set a quarter of the high tower in flames. That day would be forever known as The Great Rampage, a great example of justice at the hands of those who choose to be evil.

The family was set to be exiled on a remote island south, with King Orelius being an exception, as he was to be executed. They named the island Exile Keep. And so it was, the Ballisters were sent down south to the island to fend for themselves, and to become outsiders for the rest of their lives... all but two of the great House Ballister.

According to the myths told by our elders, two Ballister children escaped The Great Rampage that snowy night. They were Orevion the Great, and Oranus the Mighty. On that night, as the gates were about to be breached, King Orelius' wife, Queen Consort Maria Ballister, aided the children in escaping the castle through a small tunnel that led outside the walls. She herself, could not escape, as the crowds had already reached the entrance to the castle as the children were to depart.

She was executed along with the king, while the rest of their family were exiled and monitored...

Orevion and Oranus were said to have been adopted by a lone merchant in the cold whose name was Actus, Actus Bravenhand. The two royals were raised by their foster parents, who did not even know they were raising the last members of the great House Ballister. After the fall of the family, the people re-instated a new family to rule their kingdom, House Strix.

As this new family ruled the kingdom for nearly 15 years, the two brothers grew and became men. After they each had reached the age of 20, they gathered a force of mercenaries and orchestrated the fall of House Strix. At the time ruled a great king, Forlan Strix, descendant of their house's first king, Fonrei Strix.

Forlan was known across the lands as The King of The Sword for his great might in battle, leading armies with pure wisdom and power. Unlike other men, he was larger than most, standing at around double a regular man's height. According to myth, his mother had died during his birth as he tore himself out of his mother's womb.

As their force gathered a large number of 100,000 men, Orevion and Oranus led the charge and met the king's army at the mountains of Nortenhein. The battle was fierce. As the two armies collided, their shields bashing against one another, the cries of men were heard all around the kingdom. That battle was to be known, as The Battle Above the Clouds.

Men let out cries of glory and pain as the battle raged. Archers fired arrows tipped with flames, and the infantry scrambled to get into a better position than their enemy. Soon, the battle would end with only three men standing, Orevion, Oranus, and the tall Forlan Strix.

The three kings would fight atop the mountains, each hit of Forlan's sword against the mountain would make the ground shake, and pieces of mountain tops to collapse, causing rock falls below. According to the great legend, Orevion dealt the final blow by scaling the king, taking off his helmet of gold, and beheaded him with a clean blow using his sword, passed down to him by his father, Orelius Ballister, which he would soon call Maradieth. He would then reclaim the throne, bring his family out of exile, and bring about the return of House Ballister just 3 years after his great battle.

He would spare the House of Strix, and he would give them land east of his kingdom and make them governors, nobles, and men loyal to the throne, a bitter punishment yet a merciful act.

Passed down through many generations over many centuries, that blade is now at the hands of my father, King Orastor Ballister, King of--

"Son, why the knitted brow?" my father interrupted. I soon realized I was practically gazing at the distance all this time.

"N-nothing, father. Just... pondering about our history, our family history." I replied with curiosity hanging in my tone.

"Is this about the legends mother tells you?" he asks.

"Yes, p-particularly, about Orevion and Oranus, the two Ballister brothers, who brought about the end of House Strix rule. I've always been... c-captivated--"

"--about their tale?" my father asked with a smirk now painted on his face.

I pause for a moment, and then reply. "Will I become like them, father?" I ask.

"Listen, son, you have the very blood of kings and warriors, builders and conquerors. What makes you think you cannot reach your full potential, Orevian?"

"N-nothing..." I reply, "...it's just that I often think whether I would give shame or glory to our family. I would not want to be like The Mad King--"

"--Oreon the Mad? Are you joking with yourself, son? You will never be like that king. You have been taught well, by me, your mother, your grandfather, King Orlan Ballister, King of The North, and your trials in life..." he replied. He straightened his back, and looked me in the eyes with an intimidating glare. "Your life, is like a collection of crossroads, each one leading to a different place, and a different Orevian. That is why you are to choose your paths wisely, and not let our family's great efforts to maintain this kingdom go to waste. Do you understand, son?"

"I do." I reply.

With a light chuckle, he speaks once more. "You never know, maybe one day you will acquire the great title of Orevian the Great, just like your hero, Orevion, the king who slayed our once worst enemy, eh?"

Our conversation is interrupted by the carriage halting to a stop. The left-hand side door opens as a royal guard stands in front of it. "Your highness..." he says as he bows to my father, "...and my prince..." he says as he bows to me, "...we have arrived at the tunnels, the entrance that leads past the mountains of Nortenhein and into the lands of Northrest, where we will arrive."

"Wonderful!" my father exclaims, "Come with me, son, I know you would want to see this as it is your first time going outside the kingdom." he says and goes outside the carriage.

I slowly follow suit, going down from the carriage, tripping down the last step and almost falling on my face. I look at the large gates in front of us. The surroundings are nothing but snow, with the occasional village here and there. The weather is fierce, but not like a blizzard. The sun's rays are not to be seen, as the clouds covered the sun all year. The mountains were larger than expected, and like in the myths, they did, in fact, reach higher than the clouds.

The gates were tall and large, around 500 meters at height, and 250 meters at width. The gate had a rim of stone, carved with sculptures depicting myths and legends. I spot one particular piece of stone art at the right side, showing two men fending off a giant with a crown on its head. "The legend of Orevion and Oranus, carved into s-stone..." I say to my father.

"You are right... well spotted." he remarks, patting me on the back. The large gate that towers over me feels intimidating, like any moment it could crumble down and fall on me, like the responsibilities I would soon face... My chest becomes heavier as I think about it more, so I change the topic. "This is really impressive, father. Look at these carvings, and the high grade of stone!" I say with a laugh and a smile.

"Indeed. These gates were built by our ancestors from the west, in the city of Westhold, ruled by House Gryphith, with their Gryphon Sygil nestled at the center of their banner. They dug out a network of tunnels inside the mountains, leading to the four cities of The Northern Island."

Impressive, how our ancestors were able to construct such a work of intellect. Now the pressure on me is stronger. As prince and heir to my father, how could I single-handedly keep our kingdom alive? I am not like my father, nor Orevion. Unlike them, who rule the kingdom with ease, I alone struggle with the simple struggles of life, even getting off a carriage almost led to me having a crooked nose.

I remember all of my mistakes vividly, like that time I almost got myself killed by a wild wolf because I wanted to pet it. I was always the somewhat weakling in the family. I can't imagine it, a family of warriors and kings, strong they were, would lead to a weakling.

What has House Ballister become but a young scrawny lad struggling to keep himself together?