Fragments: Alora's Tear Volume I: 1

There is no magic in the kingdom of Vladvir... Tucked away in a quiet valley the community of Tolarenz offers a refuge and safe haven for its people keeping persecution at bay. One young citizen-Askon son of Teral-is destined to lead them but first he must leave them behind: one final mission in service of the king. In the north leering nightmare creatures known as the Norill gather. Their armor is bone and skin; their weapons are black and crude and cold. They strike in the night allies to the darkness. It is to them Askon marches his men a bulwark against the threat. For there is no magic in Vladvir. What Askon finds when he arrives seems impossible: smoke and fire death and defeat and all around a suffocating sense of dread. The Norill seek something they call Stone of Mountain but in the half-remembered stories from Askons childhood it was always Aloras Tear a gem with powers great and terrible. A gem that cannot exist. Unless there is magic in Vladvir...