The Flame of Arven I - Betrothal and Prophecy

Iullyn appears to be a largely peaceful world, to the inhabitants of Tenarum of the southern continent. Yet their God has been lost to them, imprisoned and isolated for over eight hundred years. There has been no possible way to free him, although men have tried - and died. The kingdoms of Selith have largely ignored the presence of their enemies - largely unaffected by the rise of strong armies across the world which so devastated the continent of Mendor centuries earlier. A force which has amalgamated its might most carefully.Quietly, the Jajozeli Empire, their enemies, are mobilising against the followers of Arven; the servants of their God's Betrayer are focussed upon his eventual victory, the destruction of their very way of life. After so many centuries, this is the point where the action will start, although the realms of the Protectorates to the north, in the continent of Mendor, hold to an alliance to assist the kingdoms of the continent of Selith at all costs. Portents have alerted people of both sides of the divide that the uneasy peace will soon end.Before Lady Ethrayne and Prince Jerryn are betrothed, strange events manifest. Hostile forces become apparent as they are told that they are identified in Prophecy to stand against the Betrayer, who desires to destroy their God. He is the one who imprisoned Arven in unbreakable ice centuries before and intends to make the whole world his empire.The young couple receive the Flame of Arven, which has been hidden from the Betrayer's hands. They will hold the strength of their frozen God against Gregnor to free Arven. Determinedly, Ethrayne learns how to use weapons. An army is sent to capture Ethrayne's family home; she is injured and captured, taken to Zanezli, the Betrayer's realm in the south, as winter descends. Prince Jerryn, his father and their allies must quickly amass their forces. In the spring following, Jerryn is also captured. A new prophecy is revealed; will it mean good or ill for Arven's followers in their developing struggle against their deadly foes? Will any hope remain?