Kren has never left The Village of The Silex. In fact, no one has. Bound to protect the magical Verities Silex, the villagers lived quiet lives isolated from the rest of the world, until one day a mysterious attack changed everything…
Alone in a world where strange and powerful monsters roam free and evil men prey on the weak, only one thing keeps Kren clinging to life, The Silex. But then, a chance meeting sends him on an adventure he never imagined possible. Love, sadness, greed, dark secrets, and seemingly impossible quests face Kren and his new companions as they undertake a perilous journey north. No one knows what lies at the end of the paths they have chosen but, as times goes on, Kren begins to see a new reason to live and even a chance for revenge, if only he can live long enough to find them.

Seven quests… Two hearts… One evil… One adventure… One Stone…

The setting sun cast its golden rays upon the rippling lake. A cool breeze blew across the tranquil waters, tousling the hair of the couple on the bank. The boy sat and stared out over the water with a wistful look in his gray eyes. His only movements were to steal brief glances at his companion. With his arm around her, the girl seemed content to sit there and let her head rest on his shoulder. A peaceful smile covered her face, her gray eyes were almost hidden by her long blue bangs but she didn't care. As long as she could stay here, by his side, nothing mattered.
"Just think Kren." she spoke in a soft and beautiful voice. "In two months we will be married." her smile grew as she shifted even closer to Kren.
"Yes Lucia." Kren smiled down at her.
"And someday," Lucia continued, "you shall be chief of The People of the Silex. My Kren, the chief of the village…"
"Yes," Kren looked off into the distance, "it's as good a life as any man could want."
"But something's wrong, isn't it?" the girl frowned. "I know you Kren. What's wrong? Is it me?"
"Nothing could ever be wrong with you Lucia." Kren’s gaze swept over the lake. "It's just, well, don't you ever wonder what's outside the covering? We've been in this village all our lives, never aloud to leave… I'm not unhappy… But sometimes I just want to know what things are like outside. Even if it's just more woods and villages like this, I want to see them, just once…"
"I know what you mean." Lucia sighed. "But we should never leave the village. You’ve heard the stories about the outside. People there lie and kill and steal. Here, with The Silex to guide us, we have no problems… Everyone is happy… There is no evil… This is the perfect place."
"I know Lucia." Kren murmured softly. "But I still wonder…" he smiled. "Don't worry, when our wedding comes I will stop talking about the outside. I'll be happy to stay by your side forever..."

It was one day later that everything began.
Kren was walking past the many thatched wooden houses that made up the village and calling out greetings to everyone he saw. They all knew him there, and he knew them.
The village stretched out over a vast grassy plain and consisted of some forty houses, as well as The Hall of The Silex, with the eastern edge of the village almost reaching the lake. And shortly beyond that was the eastern edge of the covering, the magical barrier that kept anyone from the outside from ever finding the village. No one went beyond the covering. It was a way of life. Besides, hardly any could reenter the village once they had left. It required a certain spell known only to a special few…
The sun had already sunk below the horizon when Kren reached his home, the chief's home. It was larger then any other building in the town except for The Hall of The Silex. His grandfather had lived in that home as well as his father before him, and his father before him, all the way back to the founding of the village.
The founding… Some said the village had been there since the beginning of time. Maybe it had. The People of The Silex had been there as long as any could remember. Hidden under the covering, no one else knew the village even existed. The people there had been entrusted with a very important job. Some said The Creator Himself had given it to them. No one knew that for certain but everyone in the village knew their purpose. They were the protectors of The Verities Silex, The Truth Stone. They kept The Silex safe from harm and The Silex gave them truth and justice. Everyone in the village was ready to lay down their lives to save The Silex. After all, it was the very reason for their existence.
Kren entered the house. His parents sat talking on the couch in front of the fire. They both had gray eyes, like everyone in the village, and brown hair. Together they led the village. And as Prince of The Silex, Kren would take over when his father died or stepped down.
Kren kissed his parents then walked up the stairs to his room. His bed sat in the corner with a small bookshelf against the opposite wall. It was a simple room but all he'd ever needed. His books contained the history and laws of the village as well as all he knew about the outside world. A place full of noble heroes who defeated evil and rescued fair maidens; if the books were to be believed…
Kren picked up a well-worn volume of The Journeys of Orlandu Onstrond, one of his favorites, yawned, and sat down on his bed… Then it happened.
A flash of red lit the night as the sound of screams pierced the still air! Kren raced to the window. What was going on? Everywhere people were running and screaming. Flames spread rapidly, consuming the houses on the outskirts while dark clothed men attacked the villagers. Then he heard the bell. The bell which had been silent since the founding, the bell which all hoped would never be rung.
Dimly, as if in a dream, Kren could hear his father's voice, "Everyone, prepare for battle! Protect The Silex!"
Kren raced down the stairs and out the door. Everything was happening too fast to comprehend. Only one thought ran through his mind, Protect The Silex! He sprinted out into the chaos and yanked his sword free from its scabbard. One of the black cloaked swordsmen was instantly on him but Kren was faster. He'd been trained in the sword all his life. The black cloaked man never had a chance as Kren's blade pierced his heart.
Before the attacker could even finish his death throes Kren was gone. He had to reach The Hall of The Silex. The others would be fine, all the villagers had been trained with weapons. Most had thought that they would never need the knowledge but it was part of their duty as protectors of The Silex. And now here they were, fighting valiantly as fires blazed around them. It was everything he could hope for from the village, from his people.
But, as Kren soon saw, the swordsmen were only a diversion. Several forms, their features hidden by long glittering robes, were gliding through the dark streets. They almost seemed to glow in the pale light of the fires that flew from their hands… Mages! Although magic was taught in the village, there were currently very few able magicians. Not everyone could learn magic and even those who could found the path very difficult. The mages must be dealt with, but not yet… The Silex came first…
Kren continued his race towards the hall as fire rained from the sky and explosions shook the town. He had to save The Silex! At last he was there. The screams of the villagers and clang of swords had almost vanished, but he didn't notice. The hall was in sight. The long building stood in the exact center of the village. It was built solely to house The Silex. Inside, the walls were covered with elaborate carvings and paintings, telling the story of the village across the generations.
Kren put on a final burst of speed as he mounted the steps but it was not fast enough. A tremendous explosion rent the night as an enormous blast of magical energy smashed into the hall! The force of the blast hurled Kren back as the building was instantaneously engulfed in flames! As the hall began to collapse the mysterious attackers vanished into the night. Soon the only sound in the village was the crackling of flames…
Kren stared in numb disbelief at the burning hall. This couldn't be happening! Then, a figure burst from the doomed building! The person staggered towards Kren then doubled over in a coughing fit and collapsed. It was Lucia! Blood oozed from a wound on the back of her head and trickled down onto her burnt clothes. But clutched tightly in her hand was The Verities Silex!
"Kren!" she gasped as he gently lifted her head from the ground. "Here, The Silex." she held out a glowing blue crystal which Kren carefully placed in his pocket. "And, take this…" with a trembling hand Lucia removed the thin gold chain from around her neck. Kren had given it to her for her birthday, three years ago…
"Why?" Kren stammered as she thrust the necklace into his hand.
"Take it, to, remember me, by." she was having trouble talking between all the coughing fits.
"Don't talk like that! You'll be fine!" Kren yelled desperately.
"Kren," she smiled slightly, "remember all the good, times we've had, together? Our games, and walks… Those were the, best, moments of, my life. I've always loved you. All I, wanted was, to be your, your wife… I'm sorry, that, it'll never, be…"
"Stop it!" Kren could feel the blood from her wound dripping onto his hands. She'd be ok! She had to!
"Kiss me, please…" Lucia’s eyes were sad and imploring.
Without a word, Kren raised her head and their lips met. Time seemed to slow almost to a stop as they kissed but Kren could still feel the tears stinging his eyes. The fires blazing around him, the twinkling of the stars, the blood, Lucia’s blood, coating his fingers… All seemed to freeze during that moment. There was only him and Lucia. After what seemed like an eternity they broke apart.
"Lucia," his voice caught, "I've always loved you too and,"
She motioned for him to be quiet. "Thank you, Kren." she was smiling but tears glistened in her eyes. "For, everything…" her voice was growing fainter. "Good, goodbye…" with the sweet smile that Kren loved on her face, Lucia's eyes slowly closed, and then, she was gone.
"Lucia!!!" Kren frantically felt for a pulse but there was none. “LUCIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
"Why?" Kren sobbed, tears streaming down his face. He had The Silex but what did it matter? Lucia was dead. Dead…
Still holding Lucia's lifeless body Kren just gazed down at her face. She’d never laugh again, never smile again, never whisper in his ear or hold him in her warm embrace… "No…" he continued to cry, this couldn't be happening! "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kren's anguished cry tore through the night as the village burned around him.