Shadows of Tharindor:
The city of Tharindor, nestled beneath the towering spires of the royal palace, was a place where beauty and danger coexisted. Tharindor is a vast and ancient kingdom, known for its imposing landscape and a rich but dark history. The kingdom is dominated by jagged mountains and deep, mysterious forests that stretch across its borders, serving as both a natural defense and a source of fear. Its capital, also named Tharindor, is a sprawling city nestled beneath the towering spires of the royal palace, which looms over the rest of the kingdom with an air of ruthless authority. The castle's dark, stone walls reflect the oppressive rule of King Ardor III, and its towering silhouette is visible from nearly every corner of the city, casting a long shadow over the lives of its inhabitants.
The city itself is bustling and chaotic, with cobbled streets lined by vendors, bustling market squares, and a mix of humble homes and opulent estates. The air is often thick with the scent of spice and soot from the ever-burning torches that line the streets at night. Despite the kingdom's beauty, it is also a place of deep secrecy and tension, where whispers of rebellion echo in the alleys, and loyalty is often questioned. The people are tightly controlled by the king's iron grip, with guards patrolling the streets and enforcing his rule.
Beyond the city lies the untamed wilderness, home to dangerous creatures and hidden ruins from a forgotten age. The kingdom's natural beauty is overshadowed by the foreboding presence of these wild places, which are both revered and feared by the people. Some say the land itself is cursed, as if the spirits of past wrongdoings linger, unwilling to let the kingdom forget its dark past.
The kingdom's magic, though hidden, is a vital part of its history, with ancient artifacts and forgotten spells believed to be buried beneath the earth. The shadowy forests around Tharindor are often rumored to house such magic, with people telling stories of creatures born from the depths of darkness, spirits that roam the land, and long-forgotten curses that linger.
Overall, Tharindor is a kingdom where beauty, fear, and magic intermingle. The people live under the ever-watchful eyes of the royal family, knowing that the price for defying their rulers could be fatal. It is a land of contradictions-breathtaking in its grandeur but darkened by the shadows of its rulers and the mysteries that lie in wait. the city itself was a bustling hub of activity, the kingdom of Tharindor was ruled by the ruthless King Ardor III, whose iron fist kept the citizens in check. Within this oppressive city lived Liana, a young woman whose beauty was as captivating as it was burdensome.
Liana's features were delicate and otherworldly: her striking blue eyes, which gleamed like the calm before a storm; her long, delicate nose that enhanced the ethereal quality of her face; and her soft, fair skin, which seemed to glow in the dimmest light. But what truly made her stand out was her hair-long and dark, cascading in waves like a silken waterfall. It was her most defining feature, the one that set her apart.
Her father, a librarian working within the kingdom, always feared for her safety. He kept her hidden away from the world, afraid that her beauty would draw the attention of people who would seek to possess her. Liana had never been inside the grand castle of Tharindor, not once in her life, despite her father's years of service there. He feared the ruthlessness of the king's companions and knights, and in an effort to protect her, he kept her isolated.
Liana's life was quiet-she took care of her mother and younger brothers, Dorian and Lucian. The family was far from wealthy, but they were content. Their home, though modest, was filled with love, and Liana's responsibilities as the eldest daughter kept her busy. She would tend to the cooking, clean the home, and care for her brothers, all while trying to balance her own feelings of restlessness.
But Liana wasn't just an ordinary young woman. For years now, she had been plagued by strange dreams, more like visions, which seemed to come true. At first, it was minor things: a conversation she overheard, the weather changing in ways she predicted, or the outcome of small events.
But over time, her visions became more vivid. One day, she dreamt that her brother Dorian would be injured in a fight with Lucian. In the dream, she saw Dorian's arm bleeding from a deep scratch caused by a nail in the wall. The next day, as she had seen in her vision, Lucian and Dorian had an argument. In the heat of their fight, Lucian shoved Dorian by accident, and his arm scraped against a sharp nail embedded in the wall. The injury was exactly as Liana had dreamed.
It was after this incident that the true weight of her dreams began to dawn on her. She couldn't ignore them anymore-they were not just random occurrences. They were warnings. And the latest vision, the one that haunted her, was the most disturbing.
For the past two weeks, Liana had been seeing the same image over and over again: her father, bloodied and lifeless, stabbed three times in what appeared to be a blur of motion. The surroundings were unclear, but the horror of the vision was undeniable. She had tried to push it away, but it persisted. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
It was late one evening when she had the dream again-this time in the middle of the day. The vision of her father's death played out with terrifying clarity. The image of him, falling to the ground, blood seeping from the wounds-three deep stabs to his chest. Liana felt her heart race, panic gripping her chest. She had to act.
---
Desperately, she rushed to find him. Her father had always been working in the castle's library, so Liana made her way there in haste. She draped a dark cloak over her head, concealing her face to avoid drawing attention. She knew that her father would never forgive her if anyone saw her-especially someone from the castle. Her heart pounded as she walked through the halls, her mind clouded with worry.
As she passed through a corridor, her cloak brushing against the cold stone walls, she didn't realize she had caught the attention of someone watching from a distance. Prince Gavrin, the king's younger brother, had been standing nearby, his dark gaze sweeping over the castle as he prepared for his evening plans.
His sharp eyes locked onto the figure of the cloaked woman walking briskly down the hall. There was something about her that drew his attention-her graceful movements, the way the cloak barely concealed her, and a strange allure that seemed to radiate from her. He watched her for a long moment, his interest piqued. He had seen many beautiful women in his life, but something about this one, this mystery, stirred something within him.
He was a man who got what he wanted, always, whether it was the most beautiful object or the most desirable woman. His reputation was one of charm and affability, but behind his charismatic exterior was a devilish, possessive nature.
As the woman passed by, he followed at a discreet distance, his curiosity growing. She had to be someone important-or at least someone of great interest to him. His desire to possess her took root immediately.
"Who is she?" he muttered under his breath.
---
Liana finally reached the library and pushed open the doors. She spotted her father hunched over a stack of books, and her breath caught in her throat as her heart sped up. She had to make sure he was safe.
The moment her father looked up and saw her, his expression shifted from calm to sheer panic. His eyes widened, and he rushed to her side.
"What are you doing here?" His voice trembled as he stood, his face drained of color.
"I-I had to see you. I've been having these dreams," Liana explained in a rush, her words tumbling out. "I saw you... dead. You were stabbed, Father. I couldn't ignore it. I thought it would happen here. I had to make sure you were safe."
Her father's face twisted in fear. He took a step back, his hands gripping the desk as if to steady himself. "No, Liana, you should not be here. You need to leave. Now."
"But Father-"
"Liana!" He cut her off sharply. "Is anyone else here? Did anyone see you?" His eyes darted nervously around the room, looking for any signs of presence. He gripped her arm. "Did anyone see your face?"
Liana shook her head, still in shock at his reaction. "No, Father. I wore the cloak. No one saw me."
Her father seemed to breathe a little easier, but his anxiety didn't lessen. "You must not tell anyone about your dreams. Do you hear me? No one. Not your mother, not Dorian, not Lucian."
Liana's confusion deepened. Why was he so afraid? What was he hiding?
"Why?" she whispered. "What's going on? I'm only trying to protect you, Father."
Her father's eyes were filled with dread, and he quickly ushered her toward the door. "Go home. I'll join you later. Do not speak of this again."
Liana was left standing at the threshold, her heart heavy with questions. But before she could ask anything more, she noticed something strange-there were footsteps behind her. A soft sound, barely perceptible, as if someone was watching from the shadows.
---
Unbeknownst to Liana, Prince Gavrin's servant had been hiding behind one of the bookshelves, listening to their entire conversation. He had been following Liana's movements for a while now, gathering information on her for the prince.
When the servant returned to the prince with his report, he wasted no time in sharing what he had overheard.
"Her name is Liana," the servant said, bowing low before his master. "She is the daughter of a librarian here at the castle."
Prince Gavrin's eyes gleamed with interest. A dark smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And she's beautiful, you say?"
"She is, Your Highness. Even more than we were told. I believe she could be the one you seek."
Prince Gavrin's gaze narrowed, and he leaned back in his chair. "Yes, she sounds perfect. I always take what is most beautiful, most desirable. Even women. Bring her to me."
He waved his hand dismissively at the servant, who bowed and retreated.
---
As Liana walked home, her mind was a swirl of confusion and fear. Her father's strange behavior left her with more questions than answers. But one thing was clear: something dark was at play, and she feared that her dreams, which had always come true, would become reality once more. The vision of her father's death-the one that had haunted her for weeks-felt closer than ever, and she feared that it would be the next to come true.
Liana had just left the castle, her mind still reeling from the tense conversation with her father. She couldn't shake the ominous feeling gnawing at her gut, nor the strange behavior her father had shown. His protective nature was always apparent, but today it seemed to have crossed into something darker, more desperate. As she made her way home, her thoughts churned, but little did she know that inside the library, her father's fear was only growing.
After Liana left, Master Ralston stood frozen in the center of the dimly lit library, surrounded by rows of books that held knowledge and secrets from ages long past. He couldn't focus on the words in the books, for his mind was consumed with dread.
"What am I to do?" he muttered under his breath, pacing the room. "Her dreams... they're not just visions-they're warnings. She's seen it all, and now the prince... he's seen her. He will come for her." His voice trembled as he grappled with the overwhelming weight of the truth. "I should've kept her hidden longer, kept her away from all of this."
He wiped his hands nervously on his tunic, his thoughts spiraling as the door suddenly burst open.
Standing in the doorway was Prince Gavrin, the younger brother of King Ardor III, his demeanor regal and imposing. Behind him stood his servant, the one who had followed Liana earlier in the day.
Master Ralston froze, a cold wave of fear washing over him. His heart pounded in his chest. He had not expected the prince to come here-especially not so soon.
"Your Highness," Ralston said, his voice faltering. "What brings you to my humble library?"
Prince Gavrin stepped forward with deliberate grace, his eyes scanning the room, but not with any interest in the books that lined the shelves. He seemed to have little patience for the surroundings, his attention wholly on the man before him.
"I came to see you, Master Ralston," the prince said smoothly, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable edge. "I've heard some rather intriguing things. About your daughter."
Ralston's blood ran cold at the mention of Liana. His worst fears were now fully realized.
"Daughter?" he stammered. "I-I don't know what you mean, Your Highness. I have two sons, Dorian and Lucian. No daughter."
Prince Gavrin's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Are you certain, Master Ralston? I've heard a different story. A daughter, strikingly beautiful... one who has drawn my attention, I must admit." He leaned slightly forward, his gaze darkening. "Isn't that right?"
Ralston's breath quickened, and he found himself struggling to form words. He knew he had to protect her, but the prince's presence was overwhelming, and any attempt to deny the truth would only fuel the fire.
"I told you, Your Highness," Ralston said, his voice strained, "I have two sons-only two."
The prince smirked, sensing the unease in Ralston's voice. He raised a hand, signaling his servant to leave, and turned to face Ralston with renewed interest.
"Well," the prince said, his tone almost conversational, "if your daughter is not of your blood, then it's no concern of mine. Please, go on with your work. You need not trouble yourself further over this matter. I'll be on my way." With that, he turned to leave.
Ralston stood frozen, his heart still pounding in his chest. He knew better than to cross the prince, yet the coldness in the royal's words made his blood run even colder. He bowed low, barely able to mask his relief as the prince and his servant departed.
But the moment they were gone, Ralston's fear resurfaced in full force. His mind raced. He had to act fast.
Frantically, he rushed to the small cabinet near his desk, pulling out a satchel and stuffing clothes and essentials inside, his hands shaking. The urgency in his movements grew, for he knew that time was running out. He had to leave the city-immediately. If the prince had seen Liana once, there would be no stopping him from coming after her.
Just as he was about to finish packing, he heard the sound of footsteps in the hall. The prince had not yet left.
Outside, Prince Gavrin walked briskly, his servant in tow. His face was twisted in frustration, and as soon as they reached the courtyard, he turned to his servant with a command.
"Prepare for a visit to the Ralston household tonight," he said, his voice tight with fury. "That man dared to lie to me. I'll see to it that he regrets it. His daughter... will be mine."
The servant nodded, sensing the prince's anger but knowing better than to question him.
Meanwhile, back in the library, Master Ralston was in a panic, hurriedly preparing to leave the city, unaware that Prince Gavrin had already made plans for a more personal visit.