As much as he hated what Lord Darklyn has done to people Logan has to respect his battle tactics. The Lord Darklyn was known for his aggressive strategies and lack of mercy. He kept his personal guard with him at all times and he restricted the use of magic to academic and medical uses for non combatants. Although his enemies suffered greatly his own country prospered. The economy was at a high and even the low class had more than enough to eat. The only problem was that everything was controlled by the government you couldn't even work without consent. Nobles weren't given special treatment other than more freedom when choosing work. The country is called Empyreal Empire, because the people believe the royal family were celestial beings sent down by the gods to lead them to heaven.

Logan decided that when he came of age he would visit and try to find his blood family so he can know more about his parents other than what Miss Margarette told him from her brief time personally knowing them. Lost in the book he didn't notice Miss Margaret leaning on the door way listening to him read enjoying the low grumble of his voice.

"Logan dear I have another gift for you." She softly said as he reached the end of the book causing him to jump up off the hay.

"How long have you been there?" He yelped his voice cracking showing his age despite his great maturity.

"Do you want your gift or not, 'cause if not I could always give it to one of the other boys. Maybe Lester would like it?" She joked setting her hands on her hips a grin playing on her lips.

"You wouldn't. I will not have that lazy pile of lard have something as precious as a gift from you to me, your favourite orphan!" Logan gasped seeming genuinely concerned.

"Oh don't worry you silly boy! I wouldn't give away your gift to that lay-about. Come get it than." Miss Margarette laughed grabbing something from the loft stairwell. Whatever it was it was long and wrapped in what looked like an ornate black cloak. Miss Margaret gently put it in his hands her face glowing anticipating his joy. Logan gingerly unwrapped the cloak to reveal a sheathed iron short sword with a black oak hilt encrusted with onyx and quartz on the top.

"I'm sensing a theme in my gifts this year. People are going to think I like the colour black." He chuckled admiring the craftsmanship of the hilt.

"Onyx is the symbol of your family and quartz is a symbol of your status within the family as you know symbols are a huge part of nobility. I haven't told you this but you are part of the royal family of Empyral Empire. You are the first son of the princess Alexis and her consort General Miles. They were here seeking safe passage into our neighboring country Songe in the east. Unfortunately our neighbors to the north were planning a hostile takeover so the government decided to execute every military official from out of country no matter where they were from. You have a younger cousin who is currently being educated to ascend the throne when he comes of age." Miss Margaret said with a sad smile.

"Why are you telling me this? Why now?" Logan whispered shocked at the swell of information.

"I'm so sorry Logan your parents told me to wait until your 15th birthday. You were going to be a General like your father and adviser to the next King, but fate had other plans. I figured it best tell you after the celebration to give you time to process before the bonfire." Miss Margaret said solemnly

"What plans? How well did you know my parents?" Logan felt his world crumble around him. Tears welled in his eyes knowing so few of his relatives were alive.

" Your parents were great friends with my father, so they spent quite a bit of time in our family home whenever they were in town that much you already know. What I have yet to tell you is My father was a foreign ambassador, They were headed to Songe, with his help, to keep you safe from that ugly piece of dung Darklen." she said he last few words dripping with anger "They knew you were chosen by the gods to stop him but he had already clawed his way into the king's council. Darklyn was the one to instigate the war between us and the north and advised our king through letters to kill all foreign military officers in an attempt to get rid of you. You were the only of the chosen he was aware of and killing you was the easiest way to get rid of the threat to his position." She finished, casting her eyes down to avoid his eyes.

"What do you mean chosen, why didn't you tell me who my parents were? Why would the gods choose me?" Confusion coursed through him. "Just who am I?" Logan fell to his knees trying desperately to organize his thoughts

"Oh Logan, I know it hurts. But you have to stay strong, you have to find the others. When you find the other three things will become much more clear." Miss Margaret spoke softly wrapping her arms around him, stroking his hair like she did when he was young.

"Tell me how I was chosen. Who are the other three?" He mumbled into her shoulder, clutching her shirt like he would float away if he let go.

"Well my dear it all began two years before you were born. A great prophet foretold that a great evil will fall upon the land masked as peace. Four children will be born in the year of the bleeding sky one with the blood of kings, One with the eyes of an eagle, One with the healing hands of the gods, and One with fire in their veins. When their 16 birthday comes their destiny shall begin. But first you will need to find each other." She whispered like she had memorized it.