The Dragon city.
The masked lord, face hidden under a black mask, the ruler of dragon city, was sitted in his throne made of glowy marble and cursed stones. His messenger, Odara, made his way inside and bowed.
"Great lord, The army of Dragon city has received a tip about the Book of the spirits, it is said that it is hidden in the tomb of Anaya, in Mist forest." Odara proclaimed, face still bowed to the ground.
"Order them to go, and take it by any means possible" the masked lord said in a calm voice.
"But- but the Mist forest is said to have a powerful magic that surrounds the village, it is even rumoured that it is Anaya's ghost herself that keeps the village from wars and bad people" Odara whimpered
"Who is Anaya before the army of Dragon city? Where are the ghosts in front of my magical spears? Send the thirty-six dragons and take it by any means"
"But- but-"
A spear points at Odara throat out of nowhere, held by Masked lord evil magic.
"You know whatever I want, I take. I won't let anything that stand in my way to live. I need that book of the spirits, so I can find the Eyes of Pethra, the evil of all evils and finally rule the world, and bring every city to my feet, and destroy humans, and bring back the rule of necromancers!"
"I'm sorry my Lord, pls forgive my foolishness!" Odara pleaded and the sword slowly withdraws.
"Now go."
"Yes my Lord " Odara exits.
Outside,Odara send a message to prince Azazel, the prince of Dragon city in the army camp at the outskirts of the city to proceed to Mist forest. With the thirty-six dragons. Thirty-six powerful dragons that belongs to the royals. There is also the three most powerful dragons on earth that never leaves Masked lord side. But then there is the great dragon, Oz, sleeping in the caves of the city. It would have been the most powerful, but the doctrine of the ancestors said your heart must be pure and your hands beautiful to awaken the dragon and be it's master. Well, Seem the Masked lord is not found of Oz or what the legend says about him. He's out here looking for power and revival of ancient evils.
*
Good. Both Dam and Jonathan. Now being led back to the camp, probably to lock them away in a wooden box and drag them along. Jonathan is in Dam's straw bag, squeaking nervously.
They were lucky the soldiers were just one of the random troops the Masked lord sent out to find ancient magical things. Most of the times, the troops will just wander around because they can't return empty handed.
"Walk faster!" Shouted the bald soldier that seem to be their leader.
"Halt!" Shouted a man from behind. They all turned around, it was a man with two guards all having white robes brightly hemmed with silver. The man seem like a wealthy merchant if not one of the royals. He has a beautiful eyes and long hairs, and a look as innocent as a child.
"Who are you?" The bald man thundered
"I am Mazra, I come from Seventh Star city, I've been on a voyage as a teacher for many years with my fiance which you have now captured. We're finally journeying home, but I went to look for dinner and found out you've just kidnapped her"
"Your fiance? You can't fool me young man, she's dressed less a palace maid!" The bald man laughed.
"Why not ask her then" Mazra was unexpectedly calm.
"Of course I am betrothed to him" Dam feigned some tears, sniffing.
"I found her at a masquerade clan and fell in love with her. Even though I offered her good clothes, she would change to her rags whenever I'm not there, please understand and release her"
Dam scoffed under her breath.
"Not in your wildest dreams, we're short of maids in the camp, this is a good catch, she seem agile" the bald man insisted, dragging Dam along.
"You should give her back in peace-"
Dam began to wail, clenching her stomach and vomiting to the ground.
"Why o life! After we ran away from my parent's in-law, have you met us with this villains. We just want to live. We just want to love! Why? Why? Why have you did us this way?" Dam continued to sob, tears rolling down from her cheeks like a wife that just got news about her husband's death. She pulled out a knife from her garment. "I'm better off dead than not being with Mazla"
It's Mazra you fool Mazra thought and smirked. "Since you want to take my betrothed away by force, I have no other choice"
The guards brought out their fiery swords, the indestructible sword of Seventh Star city, glowing with blue flames. The soldiers were terrified and quickly gave them Dam.
"You just wait till Masked lord finds the Books of the spirits and Eyes of Pethra! You all shall pay!" The soldiers scurried away.
*
Dam and Mazra and the two guards were sitted. Dam eyes were fixed on the fish on the fire, she will ask her questions later, now she is too hungry.
"What a woman you are. Care about the food more than why I saved you?. Don't you have questions?" Mazra ventured.
"Questions comes from a filled belly" Dam snapped. "By the way thanks for tonight" Rabbit Jonathan slipped out of the bag, sniffing for food.
"Is this your pet?" Mazra asked.
Jonathan turned to human,
"No my brother"
"Oh my good mother!" Mazra exclaimed, terrified for a moment.
"He must be from Eastern Havenland. They are the only ones with such powers" he added.
"You're quite smart aren't you?" Dam retorted
"What do you expect of a teacher at Seventh Star city Royal academy" Mazra adjusted his sleeves.
"Since you know a lot, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for my sister, she's one of the Bluebird warriors, but we lost contact a long time"
"The Bluebird warriors? Their headquarters is a bit far from here, but not far from Seventh Star city. You can begin there"
"Oh thanks a lot. Also do you know a skilled doctor? Jon's core is very weak, he needs a doctor that can heal him, or he'll forever stay a rabbit because he's growing weak" Dam face darkened.
"I'm sorry, but even the most skilled doctor can't cure a core. But there's a village called Mist forest. It's not far from here. They're said to have magical plants that does wonders, maybe they can help him." Mazra said
"Oh great! Now I have to get there, how will I get there?" Dam asked, marking some places in her road map.
"I'm sorry to bust your bubble miss, but you can't get there. Mist forest is sealed with magic, you can't possibly enter it" said bodyguard A.
"But who knows it might be possible if we go" Mazra retorted
"We? Are we going too Master?" Bodyguard B asked.
Dam stood up. "Do you want to help me?"
"Help you? I'm on a voyage of gathering information as a teacher, and I thought visiting Mist forest is not a bad idea. Also, the king is planning some arranged marriage with me and her daughter, I might as well tarry before returning home." Mazra said in his usual calm tone.
" Marriage with a princess? Sounds like a magical thing" Dam ventured.
Mazra looked at her, "Do you know any magic?"
"Magic is either of the noble or the villain, I am none"
"Take this" Mazra throw her a dagger, it's also emits blue flames.
"Wow" Jonathan said weakly.
"It belongs to my mother, you're returning it after the trip" Mazra said.
"Sure" Dam smiles tucking away the dagger in her garment.
Mazra wondered why he wanted to help Dam when he saw her being captured. He knew there's something about her but not sure what.
They ate and slept, hoping to wake up as early as possible tomorrow to begin their journey. Dam was happy she's getting it all together. The blueish hue of the dawn marks the beginning.
I hope Jonny is cured, Oh God of Ashan Dam prayed silently as they set out.