Frederick's Blessing on this Wonderful World/Bridge

The astute theorist will observe how effortlessly one can modulate from the tragedy of the faithless man to the tragedy of Frederick the Scorian. Both tales have the same tone, so it scarcely should surprise that their similarities are reflected in their keys, and such is the canonical explanation in conservatories the world over. But the fifer knew better: they were in fact the same piece, and he was the lost bridge.

For the dragon-lord and his army of holy hosts struck the wicked Goddess from the heavens, and from Her ichor did he forge anew the ruby she had consumed. The wicked Goddess surely deserved Her fall; for Her rise had been tainted by the ichor of the old gods, among them the Free City's old patron. But ere His demise the doomed patron did see a mortal woman, and from that union was begot a line of enlightened despots to preside over the City, that it might glide above all. And though by the will of the wicked Goddess was the patron struck from the heavens, and His City with Him, His children's children never forgot.

Via numerology and scripture did the fifer learn of his heritage and his birthright: to expend mortal blood that he might replace his ancestor the wise patron in the heavens, and restore the Free City to the skies above. Thus did the fifer begin the endless climb.