As Leviashivae, Nana-Roi, and Dorea approached the clearing where Azha-Roi, the leader of the dryads, resided, they sensed an air of tension hanging around them. Azha-Roi stood tall, his demeanor exuding authority, but there was also a hint of hostility in his gaze as he regarded the newcomers.
Leviashivae, recognizing the tension, approached cautiously, with Nana-Roi and Dorea close behind. "Dryad leader," Leviashivae addressed him respectfully. "We come seeking your guidance and assistance in our quest."
Azha-Roi's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the group, his expression unreadable. "Speak," he commanded curtly, his voice carrying an edge of skepticism.
Nana-Roi, undeterred by her uncle's demeanor, stepped forward with determination. "Uncle-" she began, but the leader in front of her gave a gesture of silence.
Azha-Roi's gaze lingered on Dorea, his hostility palpable. "And who is this?" he asked, his tone cold and accusing.
Dorea, feeling the weight of Azha-Roi's scrutiny, swallowed nervously but stood her ground. "I am Dorea, daughter of King Eadric from the Novacora Kingdom," she replied while maintaining her composure despite the hostility directed towards her.
Azha-Roi's eyes narrowed further, his suspicion evident. "A human princess," he muttered disdainfully. "What business does she have meddling in our affairs?"
Leviashivae stepped forward, interjecting firmly. "Dorea came with me," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "Her presence here is not to be questioned."
For a moment, silence hung in the air, tension crackling between them like lightning before a storm. Eventually, Azha-Roi relented, though the hostility in his gaze remained. "Very well, Lord Leviashivae," he conceded grudgingly. "But know this, human princess, you tread on thin ice here. Earn my trust, or you will find yourself unwelcome."
Dorea, though feeling the weight of his scrutiny, remained composed for a ten-year-old. However, her usual confidence wavered slightly under the weight of his hostility. She stood quietly beside Leviashivae, her small hand clutching the fabric of her dress as she listened to the warning.
Dorea felt a pang of unease, but she held her ground, her youthful determination shining through. "I will try to gain your trust, Sir, and proof to you that I'm not a bad person," she replied, her voice trembling slightly despite her efforts to appear brave.
Leviashivae stepped closer to her, offering silent support and his protection. His presence beside her gave her a sense of reassurance, helping to bolster her confidence in the face of Azha-Roi's hostility.
Azha-Roi's skepticism softened marginally at the dragon's firm defense of Dorea, though his suspicion lingered. "Very well," he conceded gruffly, though his gaze remained wary.
Dorea couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny. She knew earning the dryad leader's trust would be a challenge, but she was determined to prove herself worthy, regardless of her age.
Leviashivae, already familiar with the grievances of the dryads, sought proof to present to Dorea, the princess, who needed convincing.
"Before we proceed," Leviashivae addressed Azha-Roi, his voice measured, "we require concrete evidence to present to Princess Dorea. Can you provide proof of Novacora Kingdom's atrocities, something tangible to sway her judgment?"
Azha-Roi nodded solemnly, understanding the need for evidence to convince the princess. With a gesture, he called forth Mala-Yui, the dryad servant bearing the scars of her enslavement.
"Mala-Yui's plight is but one example of the horrors inflicted upon us by the Novacora Kingdom," Azha-Roi explained, his voice heavy with sorrow and indignation.
As Mala-Yui stepped forward, her scarred appearance serving as a visceral testament to the cruelty she endured, Leviashivae observed her closely, knowing the impact her story would have on Dorea.
"They treated her as nothing more than fuel, burning her to stoke their fires during the bitter winter months," Azha-Roi continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "Her suffering is emblematic of the suffering endured by countless others at the hands of Novacora Kingdom."
Leviashivae turned to Dorea, the gravity of the situation evident in his expression.
Dorea listened intently, her eyes widening with horror and empathy as she took in Mala-Yui's scars. The proof presented before her was undeniable, and she felt a newfound determination to see justice served. With a heavy heart, Dorea listened to the tales of suffering and oppression inflicted by the Novacora Kingdom. The weight of their actions bore down on her fragile shoulders, and a sense of guilt began to gnaw at her conscience.
"I... I didn't know," Dorea murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry," the little princess bowed her head and couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. "I never realized the extent of the pain caused by my kingdom's actions."
As Dorea expressed her guilt and sought forgiveness from her companions, Nana-Roi's internal conflict intensified. As a dryad, she harbored a deep-seated hostility towards humans, including the princess standing before her. However, she understood that Dorea was just a child, ignorant of the world around her.
Suppressing her instinctual animosity, Nana-Roi maintained a composed facade, though her inner turmoil threatened to consume her. She struggled to reconcile her ingrained hostility towards humans with the sight of a young girl burdened by the sins of her kingdom. She chose to remain silent, her gaze betraying the conflict within her. She understood that Dorea's ignorance was not her fault, yet the wounds inflicted upon her kin by humans ran deep, and forgiveness was not something she could easily offer.
As the weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, Azha-Roi turned to Nana-Roi with a solemn expression. "Nana-Roi," he said quietly, "take Dorea away for a moment. There are matters that Leviashivae and I must discuss alone."
Nana-Roi hesitated, her inner turmoil evident in the furrow of her brow. She glanced briefly at Dorea, who stood nearby, before nodding in acquiescence. "Of course," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance.
With a gentle gesture, Nana-Roi motioned for Dorea to follow her, guiding the young princess away from the clearing where Azha-Roi and Leviashivae stood.
As they walked, Dorea cast a curious glance at Nana-Roi, sensing the dryad's inner conflict. "Is everything alright?" she asked tentatively, her voice soft with concern.
Nana-Roi offered a strained smile in response, masking her inner turmoil as best she could. "Everything is fine, Princess," she assured Dorea, though her words lacked the conviction she hoped to convey.
After Nana-Roi and Dorea left the room, Azha-Roi led Leviashivae to a separate chamber within their enclave. This room exuded an air of quiet reverence, adorned with shelves upon shelves of neatly lined-up books. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow upon the rich wooden furnishings and the intricate carvings adorning the walls.
Azha-Roi motioned for Leviashivae to sit in one of the chairs arranged around a sturdy wooden table. The dragon settled himself, his gaze attentive as Azha-Roi spoke. "Leviashivae," Azha-Roi began, his voice measured, "we must discuss our agreement. As dryads, we already live in peace and would not involve ourselves in the affairs of dragons. However, I understand the debt we owe to Lady Sylvana, and as the leader of the dryads, I am prepared to offer our assistance in finding her."
Leviashivae nodded, acknowledging Azha-Roi's words. "I appreciate your willingness to help," he fixed his gaze on Azha-Roi, curiosity evident in his icy blue eyes. "After she aided the dryads in establishing this sanctuary, what became of her?"
Azha-Roi's smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding. "Ah, I see," he said, nodding in comprehension. "Lady Sylvana's actions were indeed instrumental in the creation of this sanctuary. Allow me to share what I know of her fate."
Leviashivae inclined his head, silently urging Azha-Roi to continue.
"Lady Sylvana," Azha-Roi began, his voice carrying a note of solemnity, "chose to depart after helping us establish this village. She felt her work here was done, and she wished to explore the vastness of the forest, seeking solitude and tranquility."
Leviashivae absorbed the information about Sylvana's departure, a sense of curiosity stirring within him. "May I ask why Sylvana departed so suddenly from the village?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine interest.
"Honestly, I did not know her reason. But I think she mentioned something before her departure," Azha-Roi's brow furrowed as he recalled Sylvana's parting words, her concerns for the other races echoing in his mind. " Lady Sylvana did express her worries about the trolls in the north mountains and the werewolves encroaching too close to our sanctuary," he said, his voice tinged with remembrance.
Leviashivae's interest was piqued at this revelation, his gaze focused intently on Azha-Roi. "And how did she propose we address these concerns?" he inquired, his curiosity evident in his tone.
Azha-Roi paused, reflecting on Sylvana's unspoken words. "She believed that we should extend our protection beyond our kind," he replied, his voice thoughtful. "Sylvana felt a responsibility to safeguard not only our sanctuary but also the creatures of the forest who lacked such refuge."
"Lord Leviashivae, do you think this has to do with her disappearance?" Azha-Roi inquired, his voice laced with concern.
Leviashivae paused, contemplating Azha-Roi's question carefully. "Hm," he began thoughtfully, "I don't know yet, but during that time, something must have happened to her. Sylvana was my mentor for over 20 years, and her disappearance without a word is the most bizarre act she has ever committed."
As Leviashivae spoke, a sense of unease settled over the room, the mystery of Sylvana's disappearance casting a shadow over their thoughts. And as they delved deeper into the enigma surrounding her vanishing, they knew that uncovering the truth would be crucial in unraveling the mystery.
"I'm sorry that I can't help you more than that. But I believe Hama-Mal could assist you," after the silence between them Azha-Roi offered his apology. "She is our eldest and spent a lot of time with Lady Sylvana, discussing culture, medicine, and the dryad next generation."
Leviashivae nodded appreciatively, acknowledging Azha-Roi's suggestion. "Thank you," he replied gratefully. "I will seek out Hama-Mal and see if she can provide any insights into Sylvana's disappearance."
As they sipped the tea that magically appeared between them, Leviashivae began to recount the story of his encounter with the small human village where he had chosen to rest. "The humans in this village were unlike any I had encountered before," he began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "They welcomed me with open arms, treating me with kindness and respect."
As Leviashivae's tale unfolded, he described the peaceful days he spent among the villagers, forging bonds of friendship with them. "But then, word of a dragon resting in their midst reached the ears of the kingdom," he continued, his tone growing somber. "And soon, the tranquility of the village was shattered as the kingdom's forces descended upon us."
Leviashivae recounted the horror of the initial attack, the flames of destruction engulfing the once-peaceful village. "At first, I sought to spare the nobles of the kingdom," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "But as the attacks continued and the village burned, anger consumed me. I vowed to avenge the innocent lives lost."
With a heavy heart, Leviashivae described his retaliation against the Novacora Kingdom, his fury driving him to unleash his wrath upon those responsible for the devastation. "I spared only those with good hearts," he explained, his voice firm. "For they were not the true enemy, but merely pawns of a corrupt regime."
As Leviashivae's tale drew to a close, the weight of his actions hung heavy in the air. And though the memory of that fateful day haunted him still, he knew that his quest for justice and retribution was far from over.
Azha-Roi's words carried a profound sense of gratitude and understanding as he addressed Leviashivae."As the leader of the dryads, I'm forever grateful for your help, Lord Leviashivae," he began, his voice sincere. "I'm sorry for your loss, for I realize that in every being, there will always be the bad and the good heart."