Cauldrons bubbled within the secluded chambers of the Sorceress. Elgama had come to call Crystal Springs home, the vast amounts of freedom and limitless gardens provided her with everything she could ever need. It was something the heavyset woman could take pride in. Her life had been far from easy, but at last, she had found protection within the walls of a being she so deeply cherished. For the duration of her stay, so far she had transitioned from a councilwoman to the family's healer. The fight between the royal brothers left her to tend her King day and night. She had gotten about as much sleep as her patient, which wasn't much. But even still, she rose from her bed, brewed her potions and herbal heal-all, and kept to herself. Light green smoke, fruitful scents, and the sounds of bubbling brew filled the air. Rosenwater stood before the largest of the pots; her small hand stirring ever so slowly. Laxrindren entered, not bothering to knock. It had been some time since his brotherly brawl, and now he was back up and about his duties. His eyes met the greeting of her large buttocks, which hid behind her thigh length locks.
"Well good afternoon, your grace. I hope sleep took to you well this past night. I know it has been hard since the fight with your brother. How fare your wounds since I last saw them cleaned?" She asked, finally turning to face him. He wore thick bandages upon his neck where the massive hole had been left. In the long days past, he had come to heal wonderfully, but the scabs and scars yet remained. He ran his hand through his hair clearing his view.
"Unfortunately, I cannot bless you with such pleasant news. My mind raced with thoughts of death and suffering. Not to mention my wife is worried clear out of her mind. If my Queen is not sleeping and calm, neither is her King." "I am dreadfully sorry to hear such things, Milord. Allow me to give you a few herbs to aid in sleep." She left her stirring and walked to her herb cabinet. "Such things will not be necessary, fair lady. Instead, I have come to get information about your progress with the stone. Due to my brother's actions, I fear it has set us back quite a few weeks. Elgama nodded and fetched a long roll of parchment. She unrolled it softly, careful not to rip the fraying map.
"I believe I have found the location of the stone, your grace. But I am not entirely confident of the place in question, it has not been inhabited for the last seven hundred past years. Well, until the settling of Raozi's Coven." Laxrindren walked over to where Elgama had come to lean over the map. Her finger pointed to the mountains of Verton. She began to single out a small sketch of a temple. "Within the hidden mountains lay the Temple of Teradoazealia. A holy place free of the shed of blood and war." Though it is not true, for many years Dragons were made to believe that they could not step foot there."
"You see in the beginning, the Tribeentions and the Tyliquins were the only explorers. They feared nothing and studied, and worshiped the gods and goddesses of the upper heavens. There was a single witch by the name of Riceana Tyliquin. For years she watched as the various creatures multiplied. She felt within her soul that one day the creations of the god Plexious would overthrow her people." "Well if she knew such things, why did she not try to join us?" "Because Tyliquin witches are far from submissive. Truth be told, your grace, many have been said to have more fury than any Drake. Because of her and her people, the Ancient War began. But being an intelligent and vigorous woman, she thought out a plan. One that would ensure, if the war was lost, many would survive. Riceana took thirty Tribeentions, and fifty Tyliquins and began searching." "Searching for what?" Talon questioned. "A land that would appear that of the gods. A mystical garden, one that would slay all unholy beings."
"What could that do to help them? Dragons, their main predator are not unholy." Talon spoke with a hint of insult in his tone. "Oh, but you are. Or at the very least you appear as such. Your kind breathes flame and destruction. Fire originated in Drathell, and all things that bring death and destruction in those days were considered unholy. The lands were lush with wildlife and foliage. Streams of crystal waters ran through it. Healing waters, it appeared a garden of the gods. So upon their finding such a land they began to build. All the while spreading the word of its whereabouts. Riceana and the others started enchanting the mountains. They surrounded them with dragon's bane and bewitched the air currents. Most importantly, they cast a spell so powerful, every dragon who walked through it would perish. And if that was not enough, they forged the wall of Qwiloe as well." "Does the barrier still stand? Or was it broken after the war?" "It does indeed, though now the land is known as Morgaideign. It is controlled and governed over by mainly Tribeentions and their apprentices. Those you come to gather in Aleanthos will indeed be needed for your protection. Those in hiding do not worship you or your kind. They are masters of twisting the mind. They can make you think things you never would unless in their presence." She placed her hand upon his shoulder.
"There shall come another to aid you, Lord Talon. One who soon approaches to eagerly defend your home. She is what you need to be granted the power to destroy it, that consumes the world. There is a long and brutal war ahead, one that will put the Wars of Origin to shame. So please, your grace, heed my word when I say it will begin with your brother but end with you and those loyal to your brood."
The King gave a nod of understanding. "Then we shall journey there, seeing as my brother has taken his stand, we shall go alone." Elgama moved to gather a bundle of ivy before taking a seat. "And within your heart, do you actually believe that Hexonia will stand against her brother for you?" A stern gaze turned to Rosenwater at that moment. "Of course, she would. She did before, she shall again." "Would you require that of her, knowing the love she bears for him? It would break her fragile heart in two if she was forced to choose."Talon looked downward in thought. She was right. He could never ask something so demanding of his beloved.
"She will not know until she must. Calira, for now, is weak, and as far as I am to know, remains bedridden. She nearly killed him for me, to save my life. We are bound to each other by spirit and body. They only share blood, gratitude for your aid, I will see a searching party formed upon our return from Aleanthos." He stood and made way to the door but was pulled back by her next words. "Remember, that which claims the body, does not always persevere. Blood will always prevail no matter the weight of love a mated pair may carry."
"I have come to know my wife in every way a husband should. I know the thickness of her heart, and I understand her willingness to forgive. But if we set those aside and take into account, a dragon's breaking points, you will see it is not I she shall turn from. Good day, M'lady." With that Talon took his leave and headed back towards the castle.
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