My second-in-command and oldest friend hasn’t been terribly quiet about her disapproval of the situation, either.
“You have no right to force me to get involved,” Astryl challenges.
“Stop complaining,” Elira says, her voice rising. “If the Shadowlord wins, our kingdom is done for. Our people will suffer, and there will be no one to protect them. No one.”
“Our kingdom isn’t the only one at stake,” I remind her. “All the realms are at risk.”
“I’m not your savior,” Astryl counters, her brows furrowing.
“Look, as much as we don’t like it, you’re the only one with the potential to stop him,” Elira reasons.
“And you think I would help you?” Astryl sneers. “You fae and your arrogance. You’ve always considered dragon shifters beneath you, and now you want me to help you?”
“Enough,” I command, silencing her. “Let’s not argue. We’ll sort this out when we get home.”
“The sooner we do, the better,” Joran says, his voice stern and his eyes full of resolve. “I’m not thrilled at the idea of taking a hostage, Thaldiran, least of all a dragon shifter. Things are difficult enough between our two peoples as it is. Are you sure about this?”
Joran’s question hangs in the air, a heavy reminder of how this behavior goes against everything we believe to be right. “I’m sure,” I say, my voice firm despite the uncertainty gnawing at me. “It’s not my first choice, either, but we have to do what we must.”
With a shared nod, we continue our journey, the path becoming increasingly familiar as we near our kingdom. The forest begins to thin, revealing glimpses of what lies ahead if we don’t stop this madman. My heart sinks at the sight.
Veridale was once a beacon of magic and prosperity, and now the little corner of our kingdom that we’ve managed to hold onto bears the scars of battle. Towering ancient oaks with silver-tinged bark stand charred and twisted, and their once-verdant canopies are now limp and lifeless. Luminescent flora, once a kaleidoscope of colors, now lays wilted and faded, its magical essence dimmed.
As we approach the grand, now shattered gates of the palace, the damage becomes even more evident. The once magnificent spire now stands tarnished and broken. The crystal-clear moat that once encircled the palace reflects the devastation, its waters murky and still. The castle walls, once shining and sturdy, are now cracked and crumbling.
A knot forms in the pit of my stomach as the memories of the battle play out in my mind. The screams. The bloodshed. The death.
Astryl’s eyes widen as she takes in the bleak panorama, her earlier defiance giving way to shock and perhaps, just perhaps, a glimmer of understanding. “What happened here?” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion.
I pause, glancing over at her. “The Shadowlord attacked. We had to defend the kingdom and fight to keep it from him. This is the result.”
She swallows, her eyes darting around the damaged courtyard. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like,” she murmurs.
“It was a massacre,” I admit.
“But you won, right?”
“We didn’t exactly win,” I reply. “But we kept him at bay.”
Astryl’s gaze shifts between the ruined enclave and the somber expressions of my soldiers. “And you think I can stop him?” she asks, skepticism evident. “Me? I’m just a dragon shifter? What makes you think I would help you?”
“We believe you’re the key,” Joran says, his eyes meeting mine.
“But first, you need to understand who you truly are and what you’re capable of,” I add.
I lead Astryl through the shattered gates of the palace, each step a painful reminder of the battles We’ve fought and those yet to come. The grand foyer was once a dazzling display of opulence and magic; now it lies in shadow. Elaborate tapestries depicting the history of our clan hang tattered and torn, their vibrant colors muted by dust and grime. The grand chandelier, once a masterpiece of enchanted crystals, hangs precariously from the ceiling, its glow reduced to a mere flicker.
“We’ll talk inside,” I say, guiding Astryl to my private study. “You have questions, and I intend to answer them.”
As we walk through the echoing halls of Veridale, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between hope and despair. The air between us is charged with animosity, yet beneath it, I sense a grudging respect. I want so desperately for her to see the value of what we’re trying to accomplish, but at the same time, the enormity of the task is daunting. The fate of my kingdom and countless others rests on her shoulders, and I have no guarantee that she’ll accept her role as a beacon of hope.
But the truth is, there’s no other way. She’s the only one with the power to defeat the Shadowlord.
I open the door to the study, allowing Astryl to enter ahead of me. I unlock her bonds. “Please, have a seat,” I say, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk.
“You’re not afraid I’ll escape?” she mocks.
“We have to begin trusting each other. We might as well start now. Besides, I have the answers you need.”
