The sun shone brightly over the Osilon Royal Palace, casting a warm glow over the lush gardens and sparkling fountains. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of the birds, a stark contrast to the somber mood the royal family was in.
In the great hall, the royal court was gathered for the traditional feast of the Laviste Aehol, a festival that marked the coming of the blood moon. The tables were laden with an abundance of delicacies. The aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air. The elves of the royal court were dressed in their finest garments shimmering in the sunlight that streamed through the crystal windows.
Arinthal, second son of King Roran Calanthir of the Untamed Dragon, sat at the high table, his eyes fixed on the empty chair beside him. Naudra, his elder sister and closest confidante was supposed to be there, her bright smile and infectious laughter a beacon of joy in the midst of the formal festivities, but she was away on a diplomatic mission to the Tamerlein Continent.
The seven hundred years of isolation for the elves had finally come to an end and they were free to cross the great mist barrier and interact with the other nations. Hence, King Roran decided to send his eldest daughter, Naudra to the closest continent, Tamerlein to organize trade affairs with Nadindel, the biggest city in Calyndor. That was the first move Roran made to restore Eldrida with the outside world.
Arinthal's gaze drifted to his father, who sat at the head of the table, having a hearty conversation with Ethlbert, Naudra's fiancé, yet his expression regal and composed.
As the feast slowly drew to a close, Arinthal turned to his mother, Queen Namarie, his voice low and urgent.
"Mother, why did father send Naudra to Tamerlein? She's always been so .... reckless. She promised she will be here during the festival but there's been no word from her or her retinue. I should have been the one to go, not her"
His eyes searched hers for answers, but her expression remained serene, her eyes flashing a warning.
'Your father knows what he is doing, Arinthal', she said softly. 'Let's not discuss this further, not tonight.'
His older brother, Althaeon attempted to intervene, his voice calculated and smooth. 'Brother, perhaps we should...'
Arinthal cut him off, his gaze still fixed on their mother. 'No, I want to know why she was sent there and not me. Is it because of the wild magic running through my veins?'
Namarie's expression didn't change, but the silence that followed was oppressive and weighed down on the three. Disgusted, Arinthal pushed back his chair, the sound muffled by the sound of lyres and dancing in the hall.
'I've had enough of this farce.' he muttered, striding out of the great hall, annoyance suffocating him. He made his way to his chambers, the soft carpet muffling his footsteps. He ordered some servants to draw him a bath to help him relax. No one noticed his exit and even if they had, they'd sooner tend to a dying dog than concern themselves with someone whose magic was deemed unstable
As he entered his bathing chamber, he was greeted by the warm glow of candles and the inviting sight of steaming water but as he approached the pool, he realized with a scowl that the water was cold.
'Imbeciles' he murmured, shaking his head.
He channeled his already unstable velori into the water but only managed to warm it. Satisfied with this meager achievement, he sunk into it and let out a sigh as his tired body slowly relaxed. He felt the tension ease from his muscles, but his relaxation was short-lived.
A distant roar echoed through the day, the sound of a dragon's cry. Arinthal's head jerked up, his heart racing. Naudra's dragon.
She was one of the three people who had successfully tamed one of the dragons that lived deep in the heart of Aetheria.
He leapt out of the pool, water cascading down his nude body as he rushed to the window. The sun was at its zenith, casting a golden glow over the palace grounds. With his superior elven vision, he could see that the majestic beast was terribly wounded.
He quickly threw on some clothes and sped towards the outer bailey and found Althaeon there with his mother. Arinthal's gaze went back to the dragon as it roared loudly. He noticed that the wings of the mighty beast were torn, making flight extremely difficult.
He felt his brother grab on to his velori and slowly convert it to wind currents, helping the dragon crash land without getting hurt. The three rushed towards it, oblivious of the protests of the guards around. There was a white parcel wrapped in cloth, in its claws and as the run towards it, Arinthal saw it clearly. The unmistakable figure.
He was right.
As they unveiled the figure, Naudra's lifeless body greeted them, pale and mutilated.
'Naudra' he gasped, his voice barely audible over his racing heart and his mother's cries