The cold lands far to the North are under threat. The mighty Huskir Empire has set its sights on the conquest of the Cavetti peoples. Led by the ruthless Emperor Proteus and his sinister aide the Dark Rhyne, Kotha, they plan to crush the small Northern armies and capture the Sun temple. An ancient fortress carved into the mountains at the top of the world and inhabited by the Rhyne, a brotherhood of men dedicated to working with the spirit of the earth. Kotha once one of the brotherhood, turned against them in search of power, now he returns to the north to acquire the artefacts and power sources that the temple holds.

But there are those who will resist, Prince Deran of Ikan, a weak man who will be forged into a great king by the actions of the Huskir. However his success lies in finding and taming an ancient primal force. Kotha has also sensed the emergence of this force and hopes to gain it for himself. Though Prince Deran is yet unaware of this need, Kotha is not and sends his soul drawn warriors, the Aclai to retrieve it. Men who have had their souls drawn from them to feed the stone of Rivenataus, an artefact stolen from the temple and imbued with power from the stone as they draw their last breath. Soulless men, reeking of decay and driven by the need for death, subservient to Kotha only. When they reach the village where Kotha has sensed the power, they are unable to find it, but in their search, they destroy the entire village and its people. The power though is in the form of two young men, twin brothers Brin and Karlin. They are hunting in the woods while their village is destroyed. The two young men are ancient powers of the earth reincarnated, though they have no knowledge of the power. They only know that someone must pay for their village's destruction and are out for revenge. They attack a neighbouring village mistakenly believing they are responsible. They soon discover they are wrong and with the guidance of the Rhyne Gamin, they develop their skills as warriors and make their way to Ikan to help Prince Deran retake his home. Deran the twins and what remains of the Ikan army, retake the town from the Huskir but knowing they cannot hold it they lead the people to Baering the largest city of the northern lands, where they must begin to build the defences for the coming of the Huskir main force.

Be gentle, second draft