The Departure and the Whisper
The next morning dawned clear and golden, the skies above Virethia brushed with soft hues of lavender and gold. The palace courtyards buzzed with farewells, as the royal guests from distant lands began their departures. Cloaks rustled, banners fluttered, and warm parting words filled the air.
Crown Prince Vaelen stood tall at the grand steps of the palace, bidding farewell to the rulers and nobles with the poise of a true king. Sylvara stood beside him, her expression calm and composed, yet her silver eyes quietly observed the shifting faces around her. One by one, the guests mounted their carriages or summoned their magical mounts and left.
After most had departed, Sylvara gently turned to her cousin and offered a small smile. "I will take my leave now, brother."
Vaelen nodded warmly. "You honoured us by coming, Sylvara. May your path be strong."
Just as she began to step away, a soft yet commanding voice called out from behind.
"Princess Drakonis, please grant me a moment."
Sylvara paused and turned.
It was Queen Thalanor, the mother of Prince Aeris, cloaked in a deep sapphire gown embroidered with silver leaves. Her long, graceful stride brought her near, and she smiled with elegance befitting the Queen of the Elven Kingdom.
Sylvara offered a polite nod. "Good morning, Queen Thalanor."
"Good morning to you too, Princess Drakonis," the queen replied, her voice smooth as still water. Her eyes, however, gleamed with a curious intensity.
Sylvara asked calmly, "Is there something you wish to say?"
Queen Thalanor's expression softened with courtesy. "I hope someday you will visit our kingdom. The starlit groves of Thalanor are most beautiful this season."
Then, she leaned in gently—her lips barely moved as she whispered into Sylvara's ear:
"If you wish to know about the Gate of Dragon Valley... you will find your answers there."
Sylvara's eyes narrowed slightly, but her face remained unreadable. Before she could reply, Queen Thalanor stepped away with a graceful nod and returned to her retinue.
Sylvara watched her go, thoughtful. A moment later, she turned to say goodbye to her aunt, Queen Virella, her uncle Therion, and her three cousin-brothers. She embraced them briefly, her farewells soft but sincere.
Unlike the other guests, no carriage or horse awaited her.
A majestic silver dragon with sapphire eyes already stood at the edge of the marble steps, its wings folded with noble patience.
Sylvara climbed atop the beast's back with practised ease. Just as she settled, a gust of wind swept the courtyard as another figure leapt into the sky.
Behind her, Kaelen Blackfyre, in his full dragon form—obsidian scales shimmering like black glass—rose to follow her in silence.
With one last glance at the palace, Sylvara gave a nod.
And then, they flew—into the bright sky above Virethia, leaving the coronation behind… and stepping into the shadows of what lay ahead.
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Part 2 The Spirits of Dragon Valley
After the grand farewell at Virethia, Sylvara and Kaelen flew back to the Drakoni Empire on the wings of dragons—hers a gleaming silver, his a fierce obsidian black. The flight was silent, but Sylvara's mind was anything but. Queen Thalanor's whispered words echoed within her:
"If you want to know about the gate of Dragon Valley…"
Upon reaching the empire, Sylvara wasted no time. The next morning, she made her way to the grand imperial library—a towering structure of dark stone and silver-rimmed arches, filled with the ancient knowledge of dragonkind. For hours, she combed through scrolls and tomes, searching for any clue linking the Elven Kingdom to Dragon Valley.
Her eyes grew weary, and hope began to slip from her fingers.
Until, tucked away in the dusty corner of a forgotten shelf, she noticed a faded book with a silver dragon etched into the leather cover:
"Spirits of Dragon Valley"
Something stirred inside her. She opened the book and began reading.
Its pages spoke of strange phenomena—about how the gate to Dragon Valley was never fixed. It shifted, moved, and changed its location when the valley itself was disturbed, either by war, magic, or death. The spirits of the valley, long forgotten by most of the world, were deeply tied to ancient elven magic. They were the ones who protected the gate, cloaked it, sealed it—and sometimes, revealed it.
The more she read, the clearer it became:
If she wanted to find the path to Dragon Valley and break her father's seal, the Elven Kingdom held the answers.
That evening, as the sun set behind the crimson mountains, Sylvara stood at the edge of the imperial landing tower. Kaelen approached, sensing her resolve before she spoke a word.
She was looking at the sky Kaelen approach her saying "you shouldn't be here" She looked at him and say "I will go to Elven Kingdom. I will leave tomorrow morning"
Kaelen ask " what with this sadden plan? Evan if you want to go there atleast wait for a day" in a worried tone.
Sylvara say "I want to free my father as soon as possible so that everything cloud be fine".
Kaelen singh and looked at her for a while and say"fine but we will leave at evening not morning "
Sylvara glance at him annoyed say " why are you coming and if you are coming with me then why evening "
Kaelen just say"I will do this in future too. Follow you got tha". By saying this he leave. Sylvara confused what he means she doesn't give much thought and leave too.
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