*In Camden*
"Father, you can't ignore Albert like that. You know the king has been bewichted by some tales of greater power by that witch mage." Frederick said slamming his hands against the table.
He loved his brother, and knew that the king was about to destroy everything his brother love just to kill Lera and her kind, the Kimbondo, people from the south - the Desert.
"You be careful, is your King you are speaking of." Said stubbornly the old man,Lord Broderock, he was a lord of the house of Camden. Someone who would possessed a lot of influence power with the King.
"But Father, I cannot stand idle while our kingdom falls under the influence of dark magic. The king may be swayed by these tales, but I believe, that I ..., no we should stand by Albert. We cannot let our loyalty blind us to the truth and allow our kingdom to suffer." Frederick even though he spoke bravely he was respectful of his father's authority.
"Boy!! You dare to say that about our king your Brother was a fool, to not stand by his king, do not make the same mistake."
The scene froze for a moment as Éter/Lera's unexpected presence caught them off guard. The dragon perched on the balcony outside, its majestic scales shimmering under the moonlight.
Frederick's eyes widened in awe. "How is this possible?"
The Lord Broderock stern expression softened as Lera as a dragon,softly put down Albert an Alana on the balcony floor. He got out as quickly as possible to check on his son."Albert, my son what ... " He was already very cold.
Lera turned herself back, and collapsed next to Alana.
"Lera!!" Said Frederick. He ran to her, but she rejected him. His eyes showed sadness.
Wincing with pain, Lera fought to steady herself with her back against the wall, clutching Alana tightly against her chest. Lera's voice trembled as she spoke. "We had nowhere else to go. Albert is dying, and I don't think I have much time left either... Alana is sick, and her condition is worsening. Her hair is turning white which means the soul bonding is nearing completion, but her weakened state might not allow her to survive."
The Lord Broderock heart sank as he listened to Lera's desperate words. He embraced his son tightly. The old man that until that moment had his heart closed, melted with the sight of his grandchild, and son that was dying in his arms. " I have been a fool. I am sorry Albert, I am too late to save you."
The grandfather's eyes filled with tears as he held onto his son now liveless body, the weight of his family's anguish overwhelmed the Lord Broderock.
He turned his gaze to his granddaughter, with his heart breaking. "My granddaughter... I have been a fool. I have held to someone else's values, neglecting the precious moments with my son, daughter, and grandchild. I have let my arrogance blind me."
"Father we have to help them." Frederick held Lera's in his arms while she was holding Alana.
Filled with regret, the father made up his mind. Determination filled his voice as he looked at his grandchild. "You're right, we have to help them. We will find a way to defeat the dark magic, reason with the king and save Alana. We'll reunite our family and make things right, bring them to a room."
Lera's eyes shimmered with a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Father," she whispered weakly, her voice a fragile plea for assistance. "Time is running out, but with your support, we may have a chance to save her."
Frederick lifted Lera gently and carried her, while the servents carrier Albert's body, following Lord Broderock's lead towards a private room.
The atmosphere was heavy with both sorrow and determination.
Lord Broderock's mind raced with thoughts of regret and trying find a solution. He knew he had to act swiftly, not only to save Alana but also to rectify the mistakes of the past.
He knew the King hatred towards mages and Kimbondo's people, he knew also they were funded by the strange Mage that advised the king in the last years, he remained on the king side even when his son Albert, tried to talk to him.
He regretted profoundly not listening to his son, and for not speaking against that strange Mage. Even in all the unjust thing the King has ordered he never found the will to blame his King. He left the room, to gather make plans on how to proceed.
Frederick left the room shortly after leaving Lera and Alana.
Lera was kissing and caressing Alana, while whipping away her sweat. "My madjiwany you have to be strong. You have to live." She kept repeating.
Alana's screams subsided, and she fell into a deep sleep. Lera knew that she had succeeded, Alana hair was fully white. She had to seal Alana 's dragons powers so the power of the Dragon would hurt her little girl.
She closed her eyes. And was transported somewhere inside of her mind.
"Mamma!!" Alana came running to her.
"My madjiwany. My life." They hugged tight.
"Look mamma, look, look, the Dragon, she is amazing.Oh hello Éter! " Alana full of energy.
Éter smiled.
"What a great honor to be in a presence of such legendary dragon. I am Tera. Daughter of Ter."
"You father will not be satisfied, with you having soulbounded." Said Éter with a gentle smile.
"We have more pressing matters, we don't have much time." Said Lera with urgency in her voice.
"Me and Éter don't have much more time, Alana is still a child, yet your power is too great , you mighty dragon, will you allow me a selfish request? In order to protect my daughter, I would need to seal your power until she is ready. "
"In order to do that you will extinguish your life force, and you won't be able to protect her." said Tera looking at Alana embracing her mother.
"We can sense that you are a strong ones you will leave her in your care Tera. It will block your abilities to sense other but will protect you and the child." Éter was getting weaker.
Tera knew not much of what was going on, but since she seem to feel gratitude towards Éter and Lera accepted without delay.
"Princess." A voice coming rushing, Dilkarina her Kimbondo queen's soldier, rushed to Lera's side. Frederick had called her bringing her inside with him.
Lera opened her eyes, back in the room with Alana. She glanced at Dilkarina, recognizing the urgency in her voice. "What is it, Dilkarina?
"My Princess." She kneeled close next to her. "What happened?"
Lera with her last strength handed Alana to Dilkarina. "Take care of my madjiwany, my heart is with her. I put a seal on her, but is not complete, you are a strong mage. Please close it." Without having heard any answer Lera knew that Alana was now in good care and succumbed to her wounds, and poison inside her body.
Alana at moment opened her little eyes, seing her mother she started calling for her, not receiving any reaction from her mother. Alana fought to be by her mother's side. However Dilkarina was strong and didn't budge.
Frederick entered the room after hearing Alana's cries. "What happened."
Dilkarina with darkness in her face, a single tear came out of her eyes. "My princess... She's.... Gone."
Frederick he has loved Lera since the first time he had seen her, fell to his knees, his heart was already broken with his brother death now, his love was also gone. Forever.
"The king's forces are moving against us," Lord Broderock came inside, his voice heavy with sorrow. "They have discovered their location and are preparing to attack. "I need you to evacuate immediately." Lord Broderock held his son's hand trembling.
"Father? You have to come with us. "
"Someone has to stay behind. You will take Alana, and protect her, the king has to believe you were not part of any of this."
"Your father his correct, I will stay behind with him." Dilkarina handed Alana to Frederick, and performed a sleeping spell.
"No... I need you to keep Frederick and Alana safe. They will need you. Please."
"Father please. "
"You listen to me boy, you have to be wise, don't forget this day, crave that in your heart today will be the day everything will change."
Frederick held Alana close, his heart heavy with grief and the weight of the responsibilities now thrust upon him. He looked at his father, tears streaming down his face as he nodded in understanding.
"I will protect Alana with my life, Father," Frederick whispered, his voice filled with determination. "I promise you, I will keep her safe and ensure that justice is served."
Lord Broderock's eyes filled with pride and sadness as he embraced his son one final time. "I believe in you, Frederick. Keep our family's legacy alive and fight for your brother, niece and for me."
Dilkarina, with a heavy heart, placed her hand on Frederick's shoulder. "It's time to go."
As the king's forces closed in, Frederick and Dilkarina made their escape, carrying Alana to safety. With each step, Frederick swore to himself that he would fulfill his promise, that he would seek justice for his fallen loved ones and protect the daughter of the woman he loved.
With the years the king had managed to destroy a few noble houses, his brothers were no exception, mages were being persecuted no one escaped the King madness, untill the day no Mage was left. And peace was once again in the kingdom and the people soon forgot what the king had done to the Mages and so other houses.
During that time Frederick doted his niece, he had Dilkarina teaching her how to fight, Luria helped raise Alana, while other trustfull servents helped.
When Alana was older, she was almost found out in the town. They choose the only way to protect her, was to finish the seal her mother had placed on her.
Unfortunately that seal would also block every memory the painful and good ones.