Kaylin's rise to power was complete before the winter season hit. No fancy title, simply Lady, ruthless leader of the city and its surrounding areas. The previous mayor had disappeared under suspicious circumstances, and anyone else who questioned her met the same fate. After a year, only in whispers and murmurs were there even hints of rebellion. Rumors began to spread of dark experiments in the depths of the Keep at the city's center, and more than a few claimed to have seen her mount engulfed in dark purple flames at night.

Terror ruled, and communication with the outside world was strictly forbidden. With a second winter looming, things seemed hopeless.