On this cool summer evening, Lyra leaves the little shop in the middle of the forest. She glances left and right briefly to make sure no one sees her. She has just bought a new polish for her armor to prepare for the big tournament. There are still three weeks to go, but Lyra has to be prepared for any eventuality. Too much is at stake. It must not fail under any circumstances. Not again. In the recent past she has failed too often close to the finish line.

She was once one of the most famous bodyguards of the old king. Until she was given a mission that changed everything. The princess was gone. Together with two of her closest confidants from the bodyguard, she went on a search. Not only did this mission fail, she lost both of her friends. When she returned to the palace depressed, she found that the king had died in her absence. To this day Lyra blames herself for not being there at the crucial moment to help the king.

Since then the country has fallen into chaos and whenever she thinks that she has helped the people of Syntharia, five other things have happened that have only made things worse. Therefore there is only one logical consequence for Lyra, she has to win the big tournament to help Syntharia regain law and order.

Lyra turns around again just to make sure no one recognizes her either. Not thinking about what could happen to her if the wrong people knew she wanted to take part in the tournament. She has heard stories of people disappearing after cockily claiming to take part in the big tournament in the tavern. Hanging in her mind, she puts the polish in her pocket.