Once upon a time, in The Faraway Land, there was a bitter battle between the Champions and their nemesis, the Warlock. They survived the assault, but were far from beating him. Until they could reach their first objective in the dwarven lands of Khazak-Run, they set up camp for the night about a day's journey away. Laina offered to make dinner with freshly hunted deer, while Kaite drank herself to oblivion and the others stood watching. Then, an elf woman charged through the trees claiming an orc was trying to steal her bag. In reality, the bag was the orc's, which Tiberius sorted out. Despite her lie, Tiberius let her stay, and she rewarded him by insulting Laina.

The Ring, having overheard people discuss the Maw and the dreadful urges it brought, and the curse associated with it, decided to try and do Vert a favor by closing it up. Unexpectedly, Vert [i]wanted[/i] her accursed weapon and expressed her displeasure - loudly. Now everyone is suspicious of the Ring and its master, Erudessa.

Ivan, meanwhile, took patrol into the forest. It was pitch-dark and frightening. Then the feeling of the place changed to something friendlier. Suddenly, an arrow shot into a tree bearing a message in Eru's handwriting: "Dance with me." In typical elven style, she played cat-and-mouse with him for a few minutes before formally introducing herself.

She revealed that she heard Ivan's secret wish. That meant she was the wish-granter behind the Ring, none other than Erudessa herself. She removed her mask for Ivan to visually confirm. As the two walk back to camp, they are blissfully unaware of the trouble brewing with the Warlock's general, Edward...