Episode 0

The Pale Horse - A Mouse is pursued - No such thing as a free lunch - Panic in town - A show arrives - The temple is repaired - A hidden blade

Chapter 0 - Travelers Converge

• A band of horsemen descends upon the village of Air.
• At their head rides Dragon-Lord Anna-Helena Tepet.
• As they ride into town their way is blocked by the plucky Miss Riron.
• The militia leader squints up into the Dragon-Lord's face: "Are we gonna have an issue here?"
• The Pale Horse mercenary company is merely passing through in search of work.
• They pass through the village without further incident and move toward the Glen of the Viridian Rivers.

• A week earlier, a hunter is chasing a mouse.
• The mouse is a bright white with strange golden markings across its back.
• The hunter does not know why he chases the mouse, only that he must.
• The mouse leads him to the village of Wood.
• The inhabitants are friendly but the hunter is guarded.
• He is merely a 'follower of the wind', no more, no less.
• After a brief stay, the mouse reappears and leads him onward toward the city.

• River, Carver, and Carver's mother emerge from the forest and enter the village of Air.
• They seek food from the inn but have no money to pay for it.
• The local blacksmith is overworked, a helping hand is lent.
• With his gratitude, and his money, lunch is procured.
• The trio continue on, Carver's dreams driving him toward the Glen.

• The Glen is run down, a shadow of its former self.
• All that is left of its former glory are the imposing gate on the river bridge, and the temple in the centre of town.

• The horde of mercenaries pulls up short of the river and begins construction of a walled fort.
• Panic grips the city, the mercenaries' intentions are unknown and many fear the worst.
• A delegation led by Priest Aldbur ride out to find out.
• Dragon-Lord Tepet reiterates her position.
• The Pale Horse is not here upon work, it is here to seek work.
• The Dragon-Lord is invited to a dinner and a meeting with the Lord of the Glen - lady Izume.

• A caravan meanders through the village of Air on its way to the city.
• Already on alert, the militia under Miss Riron blocks their path.
• Caravan Leader: "Excuse me, but are we being detained?"
• The villagers are mistrustful of large bands of strangers, especially after the mercenaries came through.
• After a tense negotiation between Ms Shojo - the group's leader - and Miss Riron, the caravan continues on its way.
• Passing the mercenary camp, the ladies (and gentlemen) of the Immaculate Conception Dance Troupe give the soldiers a show, advertising their upcoming performance.
• Just as the village militia before them, the guards at the bridge gate block their path.
• Under orders of the priest, the guards refuse to let anyone through.
• Instead, the troupe crosses the river via barge, finally making their way into the city through another gate.
• They are met by their local contact and venue owner - Madame Pherdon.
• Ms Shojo is invited to accompany Ms Pherdon to a dinner with the leaders of the town.

• In the city, River and Carver are looking for work.
• Ahead of the meeting with the Dragon-Lord, the priest is looking for workers to repair the temple.
• The two needs are compatible.
• River works efficiently and effectively on the temple's interior ornaments, even fixing the ornate candelabra.
• Carver assists the other workers on the exterior of the temple.
• Mistakenly convinced that the foreman is doing things wrong, Carver tries to correct him but is instead relegated to lifting and carrying the materials.
• After their assistance, River and Carver are invited to accompany the priest to the dinner with the Dragon-Lord.

• Aldbur had another need - insurance in case the meeting went poorly.
• He approaches a simple hunter, selling skins in the marketplace.
• The Follower of the Wind is not just a hunter of the beasts of the forests, he is also a hunter of humans.
• Aldbur: "I would have you be my hidden blade."

• The travelers have converged, the tale will begin.