The Eye of the Hunter — Dennis L. McKiernan

THE PROPHECY

When Spring comes upon the land- Yet Winter grips with icy hand- And the Eye of the Hunter stalks night skies- Bane and blessing alike will rise. Lastborn Firstborns of those who were- Stand at thy side in the light of the Bear- Hunter and hunted- who can say- Which is which on a given day?

A thousand ye had passed since the Eye of the Hunter last glared in the heavens. A thousand years since the immortal Elfess Riatha brought word of the prophecy to the Warrows Tomlin and Petal with whom she had leagued to hunt down and defeat Baron Stoke, one of the most evil beings to ever stalk the lands of Mithgar. The price of Stoke's doom had been a beloved companion's life, the two plunging, locked in combat, down an icy chasm which had sealed shut the ring of eternity. Now the comet known as the Eye of the Hunter again rode Mithgar's skies, and the creatures of darkness once again ravaged the lands, heralding the imminent return of their dread master, Baron Stoke. And now five brave souls must answer the call of prophecy: Riatha and the Elf called Aravan; Gwylly and Faeril, last in a long line of Firstborn Warrow descendants of Tomlin and Petal; and one other, one restored to them from Death's chill grasp....