The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Amara and Kael stood at the palace gates, their small group gathered. Amara's heart pounded, a mix of excitement and fear churning in her stomach. The guards, their fathers' stern faces etched with worry watched silently as they prepared to leave.
"Are you sure about this, Princess?" asked Captain Roderick, his voice low. "It's not too late to change your mind."
Amara shook her head. "We can't change what's coming, Captain. If there's a chance to stop it, we have to take it."
Roderick hesitated, then nodded, his eyes not quite meeting hers. "You have the strength of your mother, that's for sure."
With a deep breath, Amara turned to Kael, who was checking the straps on his glider. "Ready?" she asked.
Kael grinned. "Born ready. Let's go find some shadows."
Their group set off towards the Lowlands—a vast, untamed stretch of wild forests and rolling plains that bordered Zephyrion. The sky was painted in pastel hues, but Amara felt no comfort in its beauty. Instead, the looming clouds seemed to whisper warnings, a silent countdown to their journey's end.
As they moved deeper into the wilderness, the landscape grew wilder. The trees towered overhead, their leaves whispering secrets in the morning breeze. Amara couldn't help but feel as though they were being watched. Every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves made her jump.
"We're close to the border now," Kael said, breaking the silence. "We'll have to leave the horses here. From here on, we travel on foot."
Amara nodded, her eyes scanning the trees. "I'm ready," she lied. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving her home behind, even for this desperate quest.
They made camp that night, huddled around a small fire in the shadow of a cliff. The guards remained on high alert, their eyes constantly scanning the darkness. Kael, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, leaning back against a tree with a faint smile.
"Why aren't you worried?" Amara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael shrugged. "I've spent my life wandering. Trouble always finds me, but it also knows how to pass me by. I guess I've just learned to listen."
Amara frowned, studying him. "Listen? To what?"
"The world," Kael said simply. "The wind, the trees, the sky. It all talks, you know. You just have to learn how to hear it."
Amara snorted. "I've never been much of a listener."
Kael's smile was knowing. "You will be. You'll have to be."
That night, Amara tossed and turned, her mind filled with visions of dark shadows and the distant roar of a storm. She woke early, before the sky had even started to lighten, and found Kael already up, preparing breakfast.
"Can't sleep?" he asked, handing her a cup of something that smelled suspiciously like herbs.
Amara sighed, staring into the fire. "No. Too much on my mind."
Kael sat beside her, handing her a slice of bread. "I get that. But whatever happens, remember why we're here. It's not just about saving Zephyrion. It's about you finding your place in all of this."
Amara looked at him, her heart squeezing. "I don't know if I can, Kael. I don't know if I'm strong enough."
Kael's gaze was steady. "You are. I've seen it. You're braver than you think."
He stood and offered her a hand up. "Come on. We've got a long way to go today."
The journey through the Lowlands was treacherous, the terrain wild and unpredictable. But Kael's knowledge of the land proved invaluable. He knew the hidden paths, the secret shortcuts, and even how to avoid the occasional bandit or wild animal.
As they neared the edge of the forest, Amara felt a growing sense of unease. The air grew colder, the trees darker. She shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her.
"This is it," Kael said, stopping at the edge of a dense thicket. "The remnants of an old library. Not much left, but it might hold something useful."
Amara nodded, her heart pounding. She had no idea what they would find, but the thought of answers, the possibility of stopping the sorceress kept her going.
Kael led the way through the underbrush, their path barely visible. They emerged into a clearing, a small, crumbling building standing in the center. The windows were shattered, the roof caved in. But inside, the shelves were still lined with old, dusty books.
Amara stepped inside, her heart racing. "This is it," she whispered. "This has to be it."
Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "Let's see what we can find."