Story: The Champion of the Most High
On the third morning after the public execution of Cur'Raden, there was much commotion in the city of Washonan.
"What is it?" asked the King.
"The Tree has changed again," replied his servant.
"Oh no, " answered the King, "what now?"
"It has revived, my lord. In fact, it is in full bloom."
"That's impossible, it's not the season for blooms."
"Come and see, my lord, I speak the truth."
So the King of Washonan dressed himself and wandered out onto his patio that overlooked the city center. And behold, a great crowd was gathered, all talking with excitement, and there was the Tree with more blooms than the King could remember in recent seasons.
Then more messengers came to his chambers. "My lord!", they called urgently.
"Yes, what is it?"
"The body of Cur'Raden is missing! We have kept constant vigil, my lord, and we saw no one enter or leave. But this morning it is gone!"
And a spirit of fear came upon the King. "Tell no one of this," he said. And he sent word to gather the Elders for another emergency meeting.
Meanwhile, to the north in Effrendell:
King Eletroth of Effrendell found himself lucid in a dream. He was alone in a small boat with no oars and a single sail that sagged from lack of wind, floating silently on a smooth body of water, surrounded by a thick mist. He realized he was dreaming, but he could not remember how long he had been here, or what had happened before. In fact, he was having trouble remembering anything at all, and a great concern came over him.
But the Omen of the Most High met him there and calmed his spirit. And slowly, he regained his senses. Before he could ponder his situation more, he heard the cry of an Eagle and a large bird came out of the mist, landing on the opposite site of the boat. Then, before his eyes, it shifted and became the form of an Elf, dressed in the Royal Celebration Gown of a King.
"Do I know you?" asked Eletroth.
"Indeed you do, and I know you, my friend" the King answered him.
"Where are we?" asked Eletroth. "Does this vessel carry my soul to the High Lands? And if so, why are we motionless in the water?"
"I have commanded the wind and the current to hold you, for your destiny is not to cross the sea. No, you and your generation shall see the Throne of the Most High cross over to you."
"I do not understand"
"I know," replied the King, "and the time swiftly approaches where we can talk plainly. But for now, I must travel ahead of you and prepare Queen Aolin for our return." And with that he shifted again into an Eagle and flew off into the mist. Then a great wind began to blow and the boat traveled swiftly until it came to a sandy beach. When it bottomed on the shore, Eletroth stepped out of his dream.
His eyes opened and he recognized his bed chamber. Hearing familiar voices he turned and saw his wife, Queen Aolin, talking with someone dressed in the Royal Celebration Gown of a King. Then he recognized the man from his dream. Then he realized it was Cur'Raden!
"My Lord!" he exclaimed. "It is you! You are indeed the Champion of the Most High!" And his friends turned and smiled at him.
"My love," said Queen Aolin, "we were just talking about you". And the three of them fell into a long and deep conversation where-in Cur'Raden declared that the Way has been made for the Peoples of the Known World to return to the Throne Room of the Most High. Everyone, without exception, is invited to receive the Destiny declared for them by the Most High before they were born - to become citizens of the Kingdom of Summer prophesied in the Sacred Writings of the Elves. This citizenship is granted freely by accepting Cur'Raden as King.
Then Cur'Raden instructed the King and Queen of Effrendell: "Send a messenger throughout the Northern Kingdom to gather all Elven forces and stand against the Drow who are coming".
"Send a second messenger to the Middle Kingdom to prepare a march against Maargog in Thasdook."
"Send a third messenger to the Southern Kingdom to join the Halflings and their Guardians together along the border, for the Dwarves and Goblins will soon march. But my servants from D'nashk Re'at will convince the King of the Dwarves to turn against his cruel master before it is too late".
"Send a forth messenger by Giant Eagle to the Northern Kingdoms of Men and then onto the Half-Orc Kingdoms to warn them of the coming Orc invasion, and have the Northern Kingdoms of Men call out in the public squares for Kagron, a Golden Dragon from the Northern Wildlands who has transformed and hidden himself among them, to reveal himself and help repel the invasion - have them declare to Kagron that the Most High is the one who is calling him to do this."
"Send a fifth messenger by Giant Eagle to D'nashk Re'at and instruct the King and Queen to declare a kingdom wide prayer vigil, and then prepare ground forces to cross over the Kaladron Pass and naval forces to sail to Indar."
"Do not delay, for the time has come and the Kingdom of Summer has started to bloom."
And it was so: five messengers left from Effrendell with the news that Cur'Raden had been executed but was now alive, and calling all allies to rise up as one against Da'rahad and the Wielder of the Dark Magic of the Undead.