354 Ledgend of the Snow Drop

"Years ago, when the Kingdoms were young, the icy wastelands became home to a strong nomadic tribe who were governed by their Matriarchs.

The lands they roamed were frozen over half the year, lakes, streams, and ponds even waterfalls became icy terrain. The hills were coated with snow and the small forests were home to few animals that could survive this land. The wind could cut so deep to the bone through any cloth, that only leathers and furs were proper to wear or freeze to death. The people learned to live in these conditions, but could not sustain themselves on the land alone.

Though the people were hardy and the land had water, shelter, and fish they were still reliant on the other kingdoms for vegetables, fruits, most meats, and salts to preserve food. They were also low on pelts to cloth their people and herbs for medicines. The trade was beautiful for many years. The Matriarch would visit other kingdoms and present lavish gifts made of whale bone or exotic pelts such as white bear or silver fox.

Then, the Emperor of Shadow Veil, and the Emperor of the Flame Peaks took offense to a mere woman presenting herself and her gifts to them on behalf of her country. They suggested she marry to one of their sons and place a proper Emperor on the throne. The proud Matriarch denied them, because she did not believe man or woman mattered when it came to the thrones. Because of this, all other countries closed their borders to her people no longer trading with them. The Emperor's intended to starve their kingdom to death, or till she gave in.

They would have succeeded, after a years time they had run out of medicine and were low on other supplies that must be grown from the ground. The Matriarch agreed to become a Empress instead of let her people die. Though, she argued it would take time to find a suitable Emperor and bargained for supplies till she could. Every kingdom raised their prices for their items as punishment for the Matriarch holding out so long. However, one group instead offered a hand.

The Forest Knights offered medicine and treatment for their people, and skins and food to be shared. As they helped relieve the pain, the Matriarch was visited by a young woman who in truth stands tall in many legends. She gave to the Matriarch a gift the day her title was changed to Empress. It was a single flower plant.

The Snowdrop flower was that very gift. The woman told the Matriarch to plant this flower in the soil of her gardens, and she will find the soil shall become healthy, and bare crops and herbs. At a loss for other options she did so.

You see the girl who gifted the flower was Kyera of the falling leaves, the same woman who nearly fifty years later gave her life to the forests we traveled through. She was said to be a daughter of the Shadow King and the snowdrop was a gift he had given her upon her birth for her to use wisely. Because of this, the Kingdom of the Frost Winds is indebted to our people. She was able to change the title to Empresa, and maintain the culture of her people where men and women are side by side, neither with more power than the other.