After a brief discussion, they chose the most suitable path: to move away through the vast forests of Lestira until they reached the south, where Arthur knew someone trustworthy due to his former job.
Arthur was prepared to deal with predators or large animals they might encounter along the way. However, the real danger lay in the magical beings. If they crossed paths with dragons or ghost wolves, they would be in real danger. Fortunately, this area was the territory of the Dracóvenas.
The Dracóvenas are small dragons, peaceful and completely covered in feathers. Resembling birds, they have only four limbs and do not produce fire. It would be lucky to find a hatchling or an egg, as Lucian or Elara could try to tame one, since they are a docile and loyal species. However, they did not find any Dracóvena, but the good news is that they also did not encounter any ghost wolves.
The path was strangely peaceful, except for the fact that they were walking a lot. Elara had been complaining since they left the inn, while Lucian remained in absolute silence, not making a sound.
Elara continued complaining until she finally spoke in an audible tone:
— Arthur.
— Yes?
— On the map you and Alaric were looking at, there were two territories of the Kingdom of Lestira. What do they represent? — asked Elara, while trying in vain to fan her face with her hands, apparently feeling hot for having chosen warm clothes, despite it being around three in the afternoon.
— They are the houses that declared support for you.
— That's great, so we're going there, right? — she asked again, now smiling.
— No, there are armies there. It's not wise to face an army without having your own — replied Arthur, while observing the surroundings.
Claro! Aqui está a continuação do seu capítulo em inglês:
— But they are our supporters, right?
— In theory, yes. However, how can you prove it in practice? Who guarantees that your uncle hasn't kidnapped important people from your supporters and forced them to declare support for you and Lucian, to lure you into a trap and easily capture you? — argued Arthur.
— Wow... Aren't you overthinking this? Maybe it's just your insecurity — retorted Elara.
Arthur sighed, keeping his eyes alert to the surroundings.
They continued walking until they reached the large sapphire-colored trees. They were immense, easily reaching forty meters in height. Their trunks were thick and had a slight bluish hue, while the leaves varied from light to deep shades of blue.
These trees were the main habitat of the Dracóvenas. They lived at the top of the trees and fed mainly on their fruits, known as safrinos. Although the taste was extremely sour, it was said that these fruits could strengthen magical abilities. Arthur, finding some safrinos in good condition on the ground, decided to pick them up. His intention was to strengthen Elara's flames or at least try to awaken some power in Lucian.
Unfortunately, they did not find any Dracóvena hatchlings or eggs. Arthur handed the fruits to the twins. Elara frowned and resumed complaining, while Lucian took the fruit without protest. If the superstition were true, perhaps he could also manifest some power.
— Safrinos? Seriously? I was already forced to eat this every day after dinner — Elara crossed her arms and made a face, continuing her complaint. — Safrinos are literally the worst fruit ever. Even lemons are better.
Arthur, trying to ignore Elara's constant complaining, looked around, staying alert for any signs of danger. The environment around them was full of life, with the sound of small animals and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The sky, visible through the treetops, was beginning to turn shades of orange with the approaching sunset.
— Come on, Elara. Eat the fruit. It may be unpleasant, but it's food nonetheless — insisted Arthur, with a firm but understanding tone.
Elara huffed but gave in, biting into the safrino with an expression of pure disgust. Lucian, on the other hand, bit into the fruit without hesitation, hoping that somehow it could awaken something within him.
***
It was beginning to get dark when the group arrived at a cave. The small entrance prevented the passage of large predators, and any smaller threats would be easily subdued by Arthur. Upon entering, they quickly set up a temporary camp.
The imposing sapphire trees around them provided a sense of protection and security, albeit temporary. Miraculously, Elara did not complain about the "accommodations" as she was focused on a book about abilities, containing a brief superficial guide on how they worked.
Elara read extensively and took a deep breath, carefully bringing her hands together. She felt the familiar, though enigmatic, energy beginning to stir within her. Slowly, a golden glow began to emanate from her palms, soft at first but gaining intensity with each passing second. The golden flames that emerged were unlike ordinary fire. They resembled fine streaks of light, undulating and twisting in the air as if painted by an invisible artist.
Despite their ethereal beauty, these flames possessed an undeniable heat. They produced no smoke, keeping the air around them clean and pure, but the heat they emitted was as real as the fiercest fire. It was a dance of golden lights that mesmerized and fascinated, a creation that defied natural laws while simultaneously respecting them.
Elara's inexperience was evident in the way the flames behaved; they flickered and wavered like a flame in the wind. She looked at the small spectacle in her hands, both amazed and slightly frightened by the power she possessed.
Lucian, in turn, watched with a look of surprise and fascination, though a shadow of envy crossed his eyes. The flickering flames illuminated the entire cave, but, fortunately or unfortunately, they soon extinguished
Time passed and, finally, night fell completely. Lucian and Elara fell asleep, while Arthur kept watch, ready for any trouble with his blade in hand.
Curiously, an owl landed near the entrance of the cave, observing the area attentively. Its eyes and the way it moved were strangely rational, revealing that this owl was Alaric. Knowing the route planned to the south of Lestira, he was there to help in some way. Although not essentially useful physically—after all, what could an owl do against a dragon or a wolf? At most, make noises to wake the unsuspecting.
Arthur looked at the owl and gave a slight smile, recognizing his ally. The presence of Alaric, even in the form of an owl, brought a sense of relief.
***
Hours passed and finally dawn broke. Lucian was the first to wake up, still a bit downcast. He looked around and, turning to see Elara, was startled and fell to the ground.
There were several feathers on Elara's belly, which seemed to be breathing and moving. Upon closer inspection, Lucian realized it was a Dracóvena, a hatchling that had apparently just left the nest. The most surprising thing was that the creature recognized Elara as its master without needing to be tamed or any interference.
The Dracóvena was really small; while adults could reach twelve meters, this one was not even twenty centimeters. Surprised, Lucian looked around the cave for Arthur but did not find him. He decided to leave the cave quietly, so as not to wake Elara or the small Dracóvena.
Outside, he found Arthur sharpening and cleaning his blade. As he approached, he saw the corpse of a wolf, suggesting they had been attacked during the night, but Arthur had dealt with the threat.
— Arthur...? — asked Lucian, while looking at the wolf's body.
— Yes? — replied Arthur, continuing to clean his blade casually.
Lucian was about to ask about the attack but changed to a more urgent matter:
— Did you see there's a Dracóvena sleeping with Elara...?
— Yes, it poses no threat, don't worry — said Arthur, finishing cleaning his sword. He looked at Lucian and added — What worries me are the wolves. Were we attacked by just one? They usually attack in packs.
When everyone woke up, they quickly dismantled the camp and resumed their walk, this time at double the speed, as Arthur feared encountering the wolf pack.
The small Dracóvena, with its twenty centimeters of pure charm, followed Elara blindly as if she were a deity. Elara tried to ignore it, but it was an impossible task.
As they walked, the Dracóvena made incessant noises. Its characteristic sound was a "tchk-tchk-tchk" that sounded like a clumsy chicken. Sometimes, when it was particularly enthusiastic, it emitted a "whiiiist" that sounded more like an out-of-tune flute. It was as if its trunk was a natural musical instrument, albeit completely out of tune.
— Of all the types of dragons that could want me as a master, I was chosen by the weakest and most pathetic one — grumbled Elara, trying to distance herself from the small dragon.
The Dracóvena, with a curious sparkle in its eyes, followed her every move with blind loyalty. Whenever she tried to walk faster, it quickened its pace, its noises becoming more frantic.
When Elara approached again, the small dragon followed her, its eyes shining as if discovering the world for the first time. It wrapped itself around her legs and occasionally made small joyful jumps, emitting a "whiiiist" of pure happiness.
— What am I going to do with you? — Elara sighed, looking at the Dracóvena that now seemed to be performing some sort of dance around her.
Finally, she gave in and knelt to look the small dragon in the eyes.
— You are becoming a real burden, you know? — she said with an involuntary smile. — If you keep this up, I'll need a cart to carry you.
The Dracóvena, interpreting the joke, made a cheerful "whiiiist" sound and nestled at Elara's feet, looking at her with a mix of adoration and expectation. She smiled, knowing she was definitely defeated.
— Alright, alright — she conceded, as she placed the small dragon in her lap to rest. — But if you start making "tchk-tchk-tchk" noises in the middle of the night, you're sleeping outside the tent.
The Dracóvena, apparently satisfied, closed its eyes and let out one last "whiiiist" of contentment, while Elara settled it, relieved to finally have a bit of peace.