The top ten ranks of the North Forest hierarchy were largely settled, and didn’t look as if they’d be shaken in the near future. But though he held the top rank, Kranti was just first among equals. His warlike mind grew twisted when surrounded by relative peace, and became obsessed with the idea that him and Seinga deserved nothing less than to be King and Queen. Seinga very much disliked the idea, but her protests fell on deaf ears.

Like their predecessors centuries before them, Kranti, Kentabri, and their followers took over the Kayintas cave and declared a monarchy. The other North Foresters rejected his proposal, but he was not deterred. Kranti resumed the persecution of his competition a hundred fold. If they would not agree to his rule out of respect, they would be forced to do so in fear. He burned Elcorian villages, terrorized low-ranking caves, and just to make sure everyone knew he was serious, dueled and killed Keratop the Fourth Rank.

With all this trouble brewing, Gaisa’s Elcorian village became suspicious of Raven and forbid him to see his best friend for fear that he might be one of Kranti’s spies. Heartbroken, Raven went back to his old spot of solitude by the pond to sulk. He was gone for days and his cave did not know why he stayed out alone at such a dangerous time. But one night, as he lay back against a weeping willow, Raven saw a blazing conflagration in the distance.

Instantly he recognized that it was in the direction of Gaisa’s village and raced over roots and rocks in a desperate effort to defend them. But it was too late. By the time he got there whole houses have been burned to the ground. Charred, hacked up bodies littered the forest floor. And then he saw Gaisa’s body, fresh blood pouring from her ghastly wounds, engulfed in flame. He fell to his knees, weak and defeated, unable to protect the only person he loved.