The early morning sun shimmered over the horizon, casting warm golden light across the lush fields surrounding the Realm Castle. The serenity of the moment stood in sharp contrast to the rising storm within. Just as Elysera, Nyx, and Lira had returned to the castle after their intense encounter with the remnants of the Dravaryn ritual, a sudden, urgent message arrived, changing the course of the day.
The messenger beast – a rare falcon-shaped magical creature bearing the sigil of the Iveryn Minority Kingdom – landed on the windowsill of the Castle Tower. Its feathers glowed faintly, shimmering with traces of ethereal energy. It croaked a strange, magical sound and dropped a rolled scroll sealed with the Iveryn royal crest.
Lysenne caught it mid-air with her usual grace, breaking the seal quickly. Her face darkened as she scanned the message.
"A border village of Iveryn has been attacked by Dravaryn soldiers," she announced gravely. "The king requests immediate support."
Elysera stood still, her heart pounding. "The Dravaryn again... they're getting bolder."
Lysenne turned toward her, her expression suddenly intense. "We must go. Now." Without hesitation, she walked over to Elysera and, with a sharp flick of her fingers, began removing the outer layer of her dress.
Elysera gasped. "Mom! What are you doing?!"
"We don't have time. You need to bathe and dress properly – we must make an impression when we arrive. The eyes of the kingdoms will be on us," Lysenne replied firmly.
Nyx Lira blinked in surprise but quickly followed behind as Lysenne led Elysera into the bathing chamber. The water had already been magically warmed, steam curling through the marble-tiled room.
As Elysera stepped into the tub, she let out a sigh of relief. Lira sat on the edge, watching her quietly. "Lysenne… is she really your mother?" she asked hesitantly.
Elysera looked thoughtful, tracing a ripple across the water. "She's not my birth mother. But when I was a child, when I had no one else, she was there. She cared for me like her own. So I call her 'Mom.' It just feels right."
Meanwhile, Lysenne sat at the polished obsidian desk, her quill moving rapidly across a scroll. She was writing a formal letter to Queen Ivera, detailing the situation and requesting reinforcements and permission to act in her name. The words glowed faintly with royal magic – this letter would bypass all barriers and fly straight to the Queen.
Once finished, she rolled the parchment and attached it to the talons of a massive hawk-like magical beast resting on the balcony. "Fly, brave one. Deliver this to Ivera. Waste no breath," she commanded.
As the creature flew off with a gust of wind, a knock came from the door.
A minister entered, bowing respectfully. "Lady Lysenne, what are your orders?"
She turned sharply, her face fierce. "Summon all the Minority Kings, Queens, princesses, ministers, and commanders. A war council is to be held in the Realm Castle's main hall. The Queen will arrive shortly. We act now."
Lysenne then rushed to her chamber and changed into her battle attire – a black and silver uniform that shimmered with arcane runes. Returning to Elysera's room, she found the princess standing naked, rifling through wardrobes.
"What are you doing?" Lysenne asked, hands on her hips.
"I can't find the right dress!" Elysera huffed.
Lysenne chuckled softly. "You need help, child." She pulled a deep violet dress trimmed in gold from the rack, then helped Elysera put on her undergarments, fastening her delicate bra and sliding soft lace panties onto her. With her fingers glowing faintly with magic, she braided Elysera's hair into an intricate crown braid, tying it with enchanted ribbons.
Once dressed, they joined Nyx and the Commander of the Realm at the portal chamber.
"The portal is ready, my lady," the Commander said with a bow.
Lysenne nodded. "We travel now."
The group stepped into the portal, which shimmered with violet light before whisking them to the borderlands of Iveryn.
The moment they arrived, the smell of smoke and blood filled the air. A village lay in ruins, walls crumbled, and villagers tending to the wounded. Lysenne immediately barked orders to the ministers. "Hire builders. Begin repairs at once. This place must be whole before nightfall."
Elysera stepped forward to the shaken Minority King.
"What happened here?" she asked softly.
The king, an older man with a torn robe and soot-covered crown, bowed. "The Dravaryn soldiers… they breached our border in the dead of night. They burned the crops, destroyed the market, and… they took ten of our women."
Elysera clenched her fists. "They will pay."
---
Far away, in the glowing spires of Ivera's palace, the magical beast arrived, landing at the Queen's balcony. Ivera stepped forward, her icy eyes narrowing as she read Lysenne's urgent letter.
Beside her stood Solane, Lord Myr, and Elara.
"What's wrong?" Solane asked.
"The border's been attacked," Ivera said, her voice steady. "By the Dravaryn."
Lord Myr raised his hands. "This… this is Varyn's doing. War is here. But I refuse to be part of it. This is your battle."
Solane nodded. "I too must remain neutral. But if you ask, I will send help."
Elara crossed her arms. "I stand out of this as well… but I have my reasons."
Ivera simply nodded, unbothered. "Understood."
She then summoned an elven girl named Nirelle, a skilled dragon tamer.
"Take my dragon and go to Elysera. Serve as her maid and protector from now on," Ivera commanded.
Nirelle looked startled. "But… how will I return?"
"You won't need to. You are hers now. And you will serve her with your life."
Ivera opened a new portal and stepped through, arriving amidst the ruined village.
Elysera turned and saw her mother.
"Mom!" she cried, running into Ivera's arms.
Ivera embraced her tightly. "You've proven yourself today. You are not just my daughter – you are a queen in the making."
"Mom, stop," Elysera blushed, trying to hide her smile.
Ivera smiled, then looked at Lysenne. "You've done well."
Lysenne gave a respectful nod and then walked to the highest tower of the damaged castle. With a wave of her hand, she sent out a booming magical voice across the land.
"All Minority Kingdoms! Kings! Queens! Princesses! Ministers and Commanders! A war council shall begin in the Realm Castle within the hour!"
One by one, carriages and magical portals brought leaders from all over the empires. The main hall of the Realm Castle filled with whispers, tension, and strategy.
"What shall we do about Varyn?" one king demanded.
"This is just the beginning," said another. "If we do not respond swiftly, they will destroy us all."
Elysera stood beside Ivera, listening. She felt their eyes on her – she was no longer just a girl with a mysterious past. She was a symbol of hope.
Meanwhile, in the castle gardens, Nyx Lira sat alone beneath a weeping cherry tree, lost in thought. The petals drifted around her like soft snow.
A voice called out. "Oi."
She turned quickly.
"Ren?!" she cried, leaping to her feet.
He stood there, bruised but smiling. "I missed you."
Nyx ran and hugged him tightly. "I thought you were gone!"
"Not yet," he whispered.
Back in the war chambers, Ivera looked out the window. "It begins," she said.
Varyn, in the Dravaryn capital, was already moving his next pieces. And Elara, standing in her own tower, whispered to a masked figure. "Summon the dragon hunters. We move soon."
A storm was rising.
To be continued in Chapter 12…