In February 1368 Dalereckoning, the night rain had just cleared, and daylight began to show.
Near the gates of Suzail, Cormyr's capital, a breakfast stall bustled with customers. Passersby, laborers, merchants, and patrolling soldiers all sat down to eat.
The breakfast stall was a long-established Cormyrian institution, named for its location at the head of Suzail's Dragonmere Bridge.
The weather was still bitterly cold, but that did nothing to dampen people's enthusiasm. They sat around the tables in small groups, loudly discussing the latest news.
Six years had passed since the Fire of Suzail, eight since the Goblin Wars, and ten since the Time of Troubles. Cormyr was gradually recovering from the suffering of its past wars, and Alusair had succeeded Azoun IV as Princess Regent, ruling the Purple Dragon Kingdom.
Cormyr's reverence and awe for Azoun IV were difficult to put into words.
Vigorous, extraordinarily handsome, benevolent, brave, and gallant, King Azoun IV of Cormyr was deeply beloved by his people. As his reign continued decade after decade, he seemed as though he would never die-apart from a touch of frost in his hair, he did not even seem to age.
Cormyr's golden age reached its symbolic peak with the defeat of the Tuigan Invasion. At the time, Cormyr led the central and northern nations of the Realms. Under Azoun IV's rule, the Purple Dragon banners shone like stars across the Multiverse.
Yet, in the end, the "Devil Dragon" appeared and sought to destroy the country. Far too much blood soaked battle after battle, until the war finally ended on a dark, bloodstained plain: dragon tore dragon apart. King Azoun slew the fallen dragon, but tragically succumbed to his own grievous wounds.
Soon afterward, the Crown Princess died in childbirth, and Arabel fell. The elderly Queen Dowager Filfaeril announced