The wraiths came today.
The whole day was poofered from the start. Father had celebrated 20 years of trading with Lord Iryn Steelfist by securing an invite from the secluded yet prestigious Blackstone Tower. A coup, to be sure, and I had been excited to go, but the dwarves of the tower were not exactly known for their geniality.
On that day it started normal enough, but I was just having an invigorating discussion with brothers Goldspear and Iokor when some tumult erupted from the discussion hall next door. It turned out that the lout Retzaq was arguing vehemently with Highfather Jokiam about some foolish notion or other. All I did was say, "Gentlemen, let us keep our voices rational," and the whole lot of them blamed ME for the mess. Said I had no standing to voice my opinion and sent me to Fetch Water.
The punishment involves carry a half-dozen empty buckets to the river, filling them, and carrying them back. When back you dump the buckets into a resoviour and if you don't fill it, back you go! Also the river is three miles away. The day was shnockered for certain.
I tripped twice and twice had to go back re-fill my buckets, so I didn't get back until nightfall. It was night, you see, so I thought nothing of the fires and the smell of smoke until I came closer and saw the tower charred and wrecked.
I rushed to the central hall, and found the very dwarves I'd been conversing with attacked by a handful of dark, spiritual creatures. I called all the holy fire I could muster down upon them, but not quickly enough to save my compatriots.
None lived save the Highfather himself, and he was so injured he could but spit out two words before he too died.
"Lord Borak."
This was a name known to me. A horrible, cruel force of evil known only for the audacity of his crimes. Would that I had been here to show my mettle!
At last my quest was known to me. I care not where the four winds blow me so long as my steps encounter him before my last day!