Prologue 

A great Darkness had descended upon the valley city, Hethwenthor. Of this time, we know but the scattered and incomplete accounts which were left by the people who wrote them.

Chapter One

Dark was falling on dark. The great Clock on the tower was slowly ticking. I stood near in its shadow, gazing up in the light of the lamppost. I clung to the edges of my cloak, trying to shrink away from the Darkness. I listened to the Clock as it went tic-tocking, bonging, vibrating through the valley. I felt alone in Hethwenthor, the Clock my only companion. I, Bellbreaker, was but a shadow, a leaf in the wind. I crouched down upon my knees.     

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A shiver of fear ran through me.  I gazed out the window, and halted upon the hearth. My forehead was throbbing from the long run. I tried to follow my thoughts describing what was happening. He had said, “I will bring dark, dark.” I remembered no more. Slipping off my sandals, I stood upon the black tile.  Again, a shiver ran through me. I flashed a look back and jumped. I had flung myself out into the night where the Dark was descending. From behind me I heard footsteps. Out reached his hand, grabbing me and flinging me back inside. I twirled across the room and stood in a corner in the wall. The footsteps slowly came towards me. Smirking in his dark face, he turned away. I watched him leave. Crouching in that corner, I watched as the sun seemed to fall behind black mountains, the Dark descending. In the twilight outside, voices would be heard, but now they were all silent. I’ll find some hope, perhaps.   

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Coming again into the valley, I saw only the Great Tower standing tall over the darkening village; its clock ringing slowly.  I descended swiftly down a rock filled path, and soon came to a cobblestone road.  I began to take up a whistle, but I soon stopped when I heard that it echoed.  There was no movement, as if everything was hidden away. I looked up at the mountains and saw the sun fall behind them. A dark cloud hovered, slowly circling downward. I then kept a brisker pace, till I came to Lightgate Street.  All the lampposts were lit early because of the Darkness. I swung open a door and clamored up a flight of steps. I flung myself over the threshold and dropped my pack. I stood gazing at the only window which faced the west. Alstare then came up the stairs. I think he sought words, but found none as he gazed only at the Darkness. I opened my mouth but my tongue was also numb. He stepped towards me and slipped a roll of parchment into my hand. I would leave again at dawn, though there was to be none.