Muscles tire. Words fail. Faith fades. Fear falls. In the Sixteenth Year of the Sixteen Princes the world came to an end when the dragon's back gave out. Poetry died first followed by faith. One by one the world-strands burst and bled until ash snowed down on huddled masses whimpering in the cold.
The Santaman came reeking of love into this place and we did not know him.
This is his story.
This is our story, too.
Prelude
The Santaman Cycle, Authorized Standard Version
Verity Press, 2453 YD