The setting sun streamed through the unforgiving forest. None knew all the secrets the
ancient trees hid within their branches, and even fewer delved into the deep. Stories and tales
spoke of those who wandered carelessly. Many disappeared without a trace, while others had
gone insane by unknown causes. These were of little consequence of the two who now broke the
silence.
The dim sunlight flashed off of the dragon's crystal-like golden scales. She crept along
the forest floor. Beside her, creeped her companion, dwarfed compared to the dragon's 8 ft.
height, a young elf. Her blue eyes flashed as she listened for more unwelcome travelers in the
forest. The two continue on their way, unaware that they had passed five feet from another.
His dark brown eyes glittered with interest as he watched them. They were oblivious to
his presence, and he would keep it that way. He had been following them for the past few hours.
He moved slightly closer, keeping within earshot of what they may say.
The two travelers stopped for a moment's rest, as the last of the day's light surrounded
them.
"Kestra, now will you please tell me why we're doing this?" The dragon pleaded, turning
her large golden head to look at the elf.
"For too long, have my parents hidden things from me. There is a threat growing in our
land that they think I don't know. I have seen them increase my protection. They talk in hushed
tones with certain subjects. I'm going to stop this threat, Sylvaria." Kestra replied, bitterness
clear in her voice.
Turning her golden head to Kestra, Sylvaria asked that which had been bothering her
since they left. "Where are you planning to go, Kestra? You can't go into Morvaie territory
without being killed or becoming a ransom. That's why you left." Sylvaria's voice was full of
wisdom. Though she seemed young, she was still wise in her years.
"I'm… I'm not sure. I was planning to stop at Zabicoric for a few days. It's far enough
from the castle. It will take a few days for anyone to reach it." Kestra replied tentatively. Her
plan ended at escaping. Now it was down to improvising.
"How do you plan to blend in? Too many guards are there. If they find you, they will
escort you back to the palace without hearing what you have to say." Sylvaria asked, concern in
her voice and eyes.
Kestra knew Sylvaria was right. They would return her to her parents if she didn't blend
in. Thankfully, she had a disguise. She didn't know who left it, but she felt there was a reason
they did so.
2
Brown eyes glittered with his victory. Elerate backed slowly away, a grin on his lips. He
had heard all he needed and much, much more. Now all he needed to do was slip out of the
woods and head back to The Abandoned Caverns.
"Well, what do we have here?" Sylvaria asked, worry in the dragon's eyes.
Elerate froze. The thought that they had discovered him shot fear within. With a silent
sigh, he let himself relax as he quickly realized it was not him. Turning his head back towards
the two, he waited patiently and listened. He watched with interest as the elf picked up a young
blue jay.
"Poor guy." Kestra spoke softly as she cradled the bird within her hands. Her voice
shook, however slightly that there may be another.
"I sense another, Kestra. Close by." Sylvaria whispered.
Elerate didn't hear the words, yet also wondered if there was someone else. His breath
caught sharply as he noticed the elf staring directly at him. He couldn't allow her to catch sight
of him. He couldn't afford to fail once more.
After looking around, Kestra still felt uneasy. "Sylvaria, we both have looked around, yet
I still have the feeling that someone is following us. One of us would have seen them unless they
have a protective barrier of some sort." Kestra said, not only trying to calm Sylvaria but herself.
Elerate observed, intrigued by the matter. Finally, it occurred to him that this was a test, a
test of magic: his work, no doubt. Elerate decided. He didn't dare report until he saw this.
"Whether it be a stray arrow that hit him or not, we cannot let him suffer. You're more
powerful than you realize, Kestra. No reason to be afraid." Sylvaria gave a little nudge as she
spoke. Despite the fear in her voice, she forced herself to remain calm.
Kestra nodded as she took a calming breath. Her magic had been flourishing lately, and it
frightened her. But now she had to heal the young bird soon, or else he would die. She closed her
eyes and slowly cupped her hands around the bird and calmed herself, blocking out the fear that
she felt. She opened her eyes slowly and could feel a peace come over her.
"Jenve." Kestra said quietly. She felt a slight movement, causing her to un-cup her hands.
She chuckled slightly as the blue jay flew smoothly around her head. The only evidence he had
of being injured was a small scar within the wing.
"Take it easy, will you?" Kestra chuckled as he perched on her shoulder. She smiled as
she felt him ruffle his feathers, giving a slight chirp afterward. "You're welcome. Go on, others
are probably waiting for you." With another chirp, she watched him fly off.
Elerate slipped away as quickly as he could without making a sound, not wanting his
presence known.
"Do you think he understood you?" Sylvaria asked, watching the bird fly off.
"The important thing is that he's healed." Kestra said, proud of her work. "We should
stop and make camp. We will not get any farther tonight. Let's look around once again, just
momentarily."
Once again, the two friends searched and found nothing. As they settled down, Kestra
turned to Sylvaria. "You get some sleep Sylvaria," Kestra said, her blue eyes focused on the
dragon. "I'll take first watch."
***
The Blackened Mountains. The sheer inactive volcanic mountain ranges and several
caves cover the coal-black valley. Once a beautiful place full of life, now a place of death.
Raging fire and smoke were all that was visible for miles. As they searched the rugged terrain,
not a single form of life greeted them.
The dragons had asked for the elves' help for a peaceful negotiation between the
Morvaies and themselves. As the Elven King saw the first signs of flames, he knew he was too
late. Without wasting a single moment, he ordered his men to search for life. Once the sun
started setting, he received the news with a heavy heart. Boaoen, the leader, was nowhere to be
found, and there was only one source of life. A newly hatched dragon, hidden within a deep
crevice, was out of harm's way. As the king cradled the young beast against him, a dark shadow
fell over them, accompanied by a cry of sorrow. Looking up, they saw a young silver dragon
looking at the remains of his once-beloved home. Turning away, it quickly flew away.
Knowing what this meant, the king looked at the golden dragon that slept on his arm. His
friend would want him to raise his daughter as his own.
***
Sylvaria suddenly awoke, trembling. The thought of never seeing another dragon, someone
like her, always intrigued her. She knew she was the dragon. She now knew why Keldo didn't
want her to go outside Melderan. The dream answered questions that had haunted her for as long
as she could remember, and yet no person was around that could give it. 'Remember what you
saw.' A voice said as gentle as a breeze. Sylvaria heard it and hesitantly fell back to sleep