‘But something unforseen has occurred. The Earth Mother has been imprisoned or silenced by the King’s Loremasters.
‘We have only seen the early consequences of this insane and despicable act. The fate of Faeriekind is just the beginning. Over time, as the Balance fails, the Netherworld will assert Itself, and an inversion of our World will occur. Even now, I am told, creatures from the Netherworld are being seen and heard clearly at night, where before only faint echoes were heard, and then only in lonely, remote areas. People are becoming afraid to travel, except under the light of day. Farmers are locking their doors at night, and burning candles in their windows, to keep the evil spirits at bay, long enough for them to get a night’s sleep. Their livestock, too, sense the danger, huddling together for protection, ever nervous and watchful, sometimes panicking, throwing riders, stampeding . . .
‘I can think of only one hope in all of this,’ the Thane said. ‘The Man, Ralph. A certain friend of mine, a Loremaster and old acquaintance, has told me that Ralph is possessed of a unique talent, of which he himself does not yet understand the nature of; that is, he is able to think of a thing, then create it. He must begin a work, at once, to make something- a weapon, a periapt, anything- that will save the Earth Mother . . . and us.’