Asilion was born and grew up in a time of peace. As heir to the woodland throne, he was free to spend his days as he chose. This usually took him down the glade where his uncle Novarmisil supervised the care of injured animals found in the forest. With his empty right eye socket, and terrible scarred face, Novarmisil presented a fearsome visage amongst the fair folk. Whilst Asilion had been told as a youngster that this was due to an archery accident, he had heard the whispers amongst the court that the eye had been scooped out and swallowed by a foul creature of chaos Novarmisil had fought as a younger elf. From the mutterings his uncle sometimes made when sleeping, it even seemed that he could sometimes see through his lost eye, revealing horrific tableaus of death and destruction. Perhaps that was why Novarmisil found peace caring for the sick and injured animals?
Although Novarmisil enjoyed his nephew’s presence at the sanctuary, he also encouraged Asilion to practise daily with his bow. ‘In times of peace, prepare for war’, was one of his favourite sayings, quite out of step with the attitudes of many of his peers. Asilion, who idolised his uncle, did what he was told, and split his time between the sanctuary and the junior archery club.
As is the elven way, things continued in a similar fashion for several decades. Asilion’s fate changed, however, the day a patrol brought in an unusual injured creature on a stretcher. Whilst Asilion had never seen one before, he recognised it from his studies as a human.
‘What is this doing here uncle?’ he asked, noting the three black arrows Novarmisil was examining which protruded from the human’s torso.
‘The patrol didn’t know where else to bring it, for these kinds are more similar to the creatures we tend to in many ways than they are to us, both physically and spiritually. I fear they are too late, however’ his uncle replied.
‘But uncle, I understand that, what I should have asked is why did the human come to be in our fair forest?’
‘A good question, but one with a foul answer I fear…’ Novarmisil was cut off by a gurgle from the human, who coughed up a mouthful of blood, before croaking out the words which drained what little colour remained from his uncle’s face.
‘Chaos! Chaos is here!’  A spasm racked the injured human, who went still for a final time.
‘Come, we must see your father!’ urged Novarmisil, who strode out of the clearing, Asilion following behind.
Under the boughs of the Elven king’s hall, Asilion’s father King Iscoldir listened to his brother Novarmisil. When Novarmisil finished, Iscoldir’s reply was unsurprising.
‘I understand your concern, brother, but I cannot commit our forces beyond our realm. We have a great deal of forest to protect, and many of our warriors have laid down their weapons in search of a more peaceful life, as indeed you have in these quieter times. You may ask amongst our folk for volunteers to go aid the humans if you wish, I can only allow that’
‘But brother, you know the people will not follow me to war, with a visage that reminds all of the consequences of such a path. I am considered foul to look at, and shunned by many of the elves in this room. My soul may be eternally scarred by my deeds, yet they were deeds which needed doing.’
‘I’ll do it’ said Asilion uncertainly at first, ‘I’ll do it!’ He had listened as Novarmisil read the plea to his father from the human king found on the body, and struggled to see the difference between freeing a wounded animal from a goblin trap and helping these mortals.
‘As your son, those who want to help will follow me, and uncle Novarmisil can guide me in the ways of war. I am not yet of an age to take command of your army, but old enough to be able to draw a bow that will hit a chaos beast at 400 paces.’
The king looked long and hard at his son, his face impassive. Was it with anger at his impetuousness, ridicule at his naivety, even surprise at his interest?
‘That may be a fine idea, Prince Asilion. If war is indeed coming, it could be sensible for the heir to be somewhere other than by my side, and if nothing else, your experiences might temper your impulsiveness. There can be few people who can protect you better than Prince Novarmisil, who sees daily the terrors of chaos, but take this as well. This is the bow of our family, crafted in the hidden lands in eons past, blessed by every king that has ever ruled this realm. Take it as the blessing of myself and your forefathers in your endeavours, and return when you have done what must be done.’