Aras and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair continue on through the harsh climate of the Eastern Tundra after having saved the wagon train the day before, being buffeted by razor sharp winds and seemingly never-ending snow during their journey home to Rothsal.

After four more days of travel the two find themselves on the outskirts of Vels, which Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair finds Aras to be rather unnerved to see. During the night she has her own episode during her trance as she relives the loss of her family during the Vanrer (Dark Elf) raid on her village years ago, during which Aras is unable to do anything to help her.

The next day the two start their travel north to avoid going through Vels, which is now overrun with the draconians. On the way the two come across what is known as the Field of The Blades – A memorial to all of those lost in the various battles for Vels over the last few decades. Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair notices her companions’ visible depression as they travel through the field, and even more so when they come across the remains of the camp of his old unit in the Army Of The Sword’s Path.

Aras is devastated to find that his old allies had not survived the last skirmishes of the last battle for Vels, and though she tries to console him, Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair finds it impossible to aid him. They are interrupted by a patrol of the draconians, however, along with three human men identifying themselves as soldiers of the Legion of Vas.

Enraged by them disturbing the remains of his allies and knowing that he and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair will be killed if they were to surrender, Aras engages combat with this warband of Vas. Aras and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair are victorious, however both are badly wounded as Aras had taken two arrows to his right arm and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair had taken an arrow to her left shin during the fight.

After hastily dressing their wounds, Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair watches on as Aras properly buries his old allies and replants the flag of the Sword’s Path above their graves. Knowing that the draconians will send reinforcements to find them the two quickly depart, despite being crippled by their wounds.

After spending a day in order for the weather conditions to improve, Aras and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair continue on the highroad west to the captured city of Vels.

Along the path the two come across a imprisoned band of travelers, who are about to be executed by their draconian captors. Unable to leave them to their fate Aras decides to aid them despite the overwhelming odds, and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair joins in the attempt. After pulling an ambush on the draconians, the two become locked in battle with the Dakans and their Dakrahn commander, however the two manage to win the fight and free the captured civilians.

After receiving a safe wagon to sleep in for the night, Aras speaks with the leader of the wagon train who informs him of the rough conditions ahead while Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair rests in a reverie. The next morning, the two bid farewell to the people they had saved and continue on their way west.

Two days have passed since Aras and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair have departed from Ia’Nellsa, the two heading to the west to return to Rothsal so that Aras may find out what has become of his home.

The travel through the Eastern Tundra is rather harsh upon the two as the bitter cold hinders them, however Aras is determined to make it through and Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair determined to follow him where ever he may go. During the night the two come across a harsh snow storm that threatens to freeze them to death on the open tundra, but find refuge in a little wooded grove.

As they set up camp, they hear the sounds of a great beast, and upon further investigation find that it is a white dragon that had made these sounds. They watch on from a small hill above the grove as the dragon takes flight from it’s home under the Tundra, and though Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair is captivated by the sight Aras is horrified to now know that the dragons themselves are a real threat to his homeland.

The year is AC1261.

Northern Ahrea has all but fallen to the draconic armies that now march upon it during the Uprisings of Vas. The Riders of The North have all but fallen and retreated to their King on Southern Ahrea, and the gains won by the Army Of The Sword’s Path have been lost as the draconians have defeated the mercenary force. The free city of Vels has been lost and only the High Elven capital of Ia’Nellsa remains as a safe haven, with the remaining scattered villages amongst Northern Ahrea falling to the draconians as quickly as they are come across.

During the chaos of the last year, Aras had spent his time living with a Narrer (Wood Elf) named Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair within the Great Forest of Northern Ahrea, completely oblivious to the destruction that had occurred since he had lived with her. Once they had been taken to Ia’Nellsa, however, it became apparent to him that his home town of Rothsal was on the war path. Knowing very well that to return to Rothsal would be certain death, Aras decided to return to his home in hopes of saving those who remained there. Despite believing he had lost Fiva Ni Oele Os Mair to her kin, the elf decided to come with him, though his fears for her safety eat away at him as they begin the journey to his old home.