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[h3]Chapter 1[/h3]
[h2]The Hunter’s Oath[/h2]
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[color=gold][b]A warm but breezy morning in Illian.[/b][/color]

The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

East and south the wind blew, over the thick woods of Ghealdan and into the plains of Amadicia. Carrying with it the moisture of Arinelle, further south the wind blew, clashing with the salty sea breeze over Illian.

Illian. The land of tradition. A place where myths and legends turn to rituals and ceremony. The wind blew across the narrow winding streets and the famous canals of Illian, the city. It blew into the Scented Quarter, accumulating the collective scents of the perfumes on sale. It blew into a stately courtyard in the middle of a large mansion, swirling around the marble fountain.

The wind caught Lord Haron’s silk cloak and ruffled it slightly as he walked along the sumptuous corridor of his mansion, feeling completely in control. His boots echoed richly from the vaulted ceiling several feet above. Behind him, two of his guards followed. They were too far to be of any actual use. But the mere idea of someone deciding to attack Lord Councillor Haron Gregoras in his mansion was laughable.

He really wanted to laugh with joy, but that would be not very becoming of a respected councillor. He wanted to go back to his chambers and laugh till he cried, for today was going to be the culmination of ten years’ work. He wanted to step out on the balcony and throw coins and jewels out on the street, like the mad kings of yore.

It all started with the Whitecloak War, when the Children of the Light decided that they wanted their border with Altara readjusted. Illian rode out in defence of Altara, with its king Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar at the head. They won some victories, but were ultimately humiliated in the Battle of Soremaine, the lowest point in Illian’s history. The king was held for ransom! The shame! That event made Lord Haron’s decision for him. That decision had brought him here, to today.

In a short time, he would step on to the stage on Tammaz Square. In a short time, he was going to make history by reinstating the Great Hunt and swearing in hundreds of Hunters. The very best gleemen and bards were in the Square, juggling and singing and dancing and eating fire. Ogier from as far as stedding Shangtai had already arrived in the city to witness and chronicle the great event. And the best part was, the king was sulking in his castle. It would be Lord Councillor Haron Gregoras, not King Mattin Stepaneos, who was going to officiate the Hunt.

Lord Haron entered the east wing of his house - the one where the guests stayed - and addressed a curtsying servant. “Have Lord Torin’s horse saddled,” he told him. “He will want to ride with me to the Square.”

He liked Lord Torin. The fact that the man was a Tairen had already set many tongues wagging. Lord Haron’s Tairen connections were already a source of contention between Mattin Stepaneos and him, but the presence of an actual Tairen lord was making mountains out of molehills everywhere. They said the Cairhienin were skilled in the Game of Houses, but Illianers were no less. Despite Lord Torin’s presence having its political uses, Haron really enjoyed the man’s company. Pomposity was a sign of most nobles, but Lord Torin was also a sincere man.

Haron stopped outside Torin’s room and a servant knocked on the door for him. “Lord Haron, come to see the Lord Torin,” the servant announced.

Haron hoped Torin was ready to go. He wanted to be late, but not too late that the other councillors would start muttering. He also wanted to ride slowly through the streets, to bask in the excitement. Normal life was temporarily stopped for festivities and a festive Illian is truly a sight to behold.

[color=gold]You have two posts to make your way to the Tammaz Square, should you choose to.[/color]