Events to the west conspired to wreck Parnelion's ascension through the court ranks, however, as the Chey peoples fell under the sway of Darkness. United under the rule of a Variag-appointed puppet prince called Uma Kalcuna, the Chey crossed the river Numahar and quickly defeated their Ahar neighbors. The other Ahar tribes submitted to the invaders, offering hostages and tribute. By this time, Parnelion's rise had alarmed elements of the Sey court, who offered the young man as a hostage. The twelve year- old Parnelion accompanied a host of fellow captives and traveled