Of course I got grounded for running off and injuring myself like that. Mom and dad said I am not leaving the palace for 2 whole months. Come on. I know I did wrong and was too careless, but 2 months? I swear I will go insane in this palace. But hey… at least I can do what I planned, just be ordinary girl. I could finally spend some time with my parents, without worry in the world.

Things could get better only if my sisters would be home. But Daphne went back to her palace and Bloom returned to Alfea. I wish I could help her… then again, Winx are more than capable. I believe in them.

I was just exercising in gardens, running around the flower beds. It was actually very relaxing. Sure, it had nothing on my usual training back in temple, but I still wanted to stay in shape. I was wearing a tracksuit Aisha gave me. It was really light and comfy. Blue shirt and trousers, matching my hair. White sneakers on my feet felt like just a very thin tissue. The suit was just so light… it almost felt like I could fly away like birds.

I was jogging around until a voice reached my ears "Princess!" I stopped and looked that way, towards the palace gate. A maid was waving at me as I began running again, this time through the garden to her.

"Good morning Ariana." I said halting my pace to stop as she bowed down to me and handed me a towel. I took and whipping off all the sweat, I thanked her.

She bowed again and spoke up "His majesty, king, wanted me to get you. His friend needs an advice from you."

"Dad's friend?" I asked rather curiously. Come to think of it I know very little about my family past. I guess I should be asking around later "I'm not sure what use I might be. Where are they?"

"In throne room, princess."

"Thank you." With that I walked back into the palace, maid walking slightly behind me. I believe her name was Girada. She was fairly young and new around here, which explains this your-majesty-everywhere stance towards me. Other maids were already familiar with me and knew I didn't particularly like them calling me such honorifics.

Guards before us opened door to throne room, where dad was talking to a strange man. I… I don't know how to explain it. From first glance he seemed like a good guy. He was as old as, or maybe older than dad. I would probably compare him to Master Hagen. Black beard, short dark hair and green eyes. He also had a scar on his left cheek, almost reaching his eye. He had that good old grandpa look. His clothes were nice. He was wearing light clothing and a coat. It was nothing too noble, but nothing for poor either. If he was an archeologist, then a rich one. I bet he has a daughter named Lara.

However… there was something more. While my eyes and ears were telling me he was a good man… my senses were running crazy. Call it a paranoia, but my brain was telling me to be cautious around him.

"And he raised his leg on table and said 'Like what you see?!'" man said and both he and dad began laughing. I guess that must've been some funny story or something.

Dad whipped away a tear from his eye "Oh, I guess Hirios will never change."

That was when mom came in from behind me giggling "I see you two are at it."

"Marion." Man spoke up and headed to her. Mom passed me and stopped before him. Man bowed down "You are as beautiful as always."

"It is good to see you again, Thomas." She sure sounded glad.

As he diverted his eyes to me, he walked towards me and my senses were ringing 'RED ALERT!'. But why? This man seemed like a nice guy, so why did I feel like that? He was smiling, had a warm voice. Could my senses be wrong? Surely mom and dad wouldn't be friends with some evil dude. And they sure seem to be good friends, maybe even childhood friends.

He bowed down "And you must be Princess Mira. It is a great pleasure and honor to finally meet you. I must say, rumors of your beauty are true." I caught myself blushing as he extended his hand "I am Thomas Dragonbane."

I took it and with a sincere smile said "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir." But what's with that name? Dragonbane? Really? I think I know why my danger sense is tickling… more like ringing a giant bell.

"Please, your majesty, do not think anything strange about my name." He laughed, rubbing back of his head "I am only an old archeologist."

I guess… for the first time… my senses might actually be wrong about someone. This man definitely wasn't any warrior. He sure was muscular, but he was nice. And of course I cannot judge just by the name. I smiled and asked "An archeologist. I've never met one."

"To be honest, my lady, I think you are much greater archeologist than I can ever hope to be."

"How come?"

"Thomas here specializes in Dragon culture." Dad stepped up to us.

Then I understood. I was still keeper of Dragon Archive. According to Miss Faragonda, even though it was in Alfea, the archive was still mine. No one can touch it unless I approve. I bet he asked her too, but she sent him to me.

"Yes." He chuckled "We could really use your advice."

"I will help as I can, but… with what exactly?"

Dad snapped his finger and a big round table suddenly lifted itself from the floor. I jumped when it did "What the?" I asked "Since when did we have that?"

"Since forever." Dad replied. Table was built into the floor and was lifted the moment dad snapped his fingers. It was in the middle of the chamber, round, big. Kinda reminded me the legend of Arthur and Knights of the Round. Dad then continued "We rarely use it nowadays. It used to serve for councils of kings. We have a new chamber for that. It even has a pool."

"Works for me." Thomas said and before I knew it, he had a big picture spread on it.

It was some kind of stone door. It was a red stone, or perhaps it was just light of fires in the corners. But that wasn't what caught my eye. All around the door were markings. Then he spoke again "We found an ancient Dragon tomb, or maybe a temple. We were trying to find a way to open the door, but…"

"It's not as simple." I said, already reading the writings around the door on photo "It's a very old dialect, way older than Dragon Dominion, so it's kinda hard to read. I think it's a temple of sorts. It seems to be dedicate to… some old dragon god. But text is cut around the edges of photo. I cannot read more."

"Fascinating." He said "Princess, would you like to come with me to this temple?"

Would I? I swore I wouldn't touch the Dragon related stuff. Then again, this was just archeology. Who else can help these people than someone from the said culture? Plus if that temple or whatever it was, was as old as I thought, it might be quite interesting. Dragon archives contain all knowledge of several millennia, but of course even they had their history when writing and language were just evolving.

Not to mention their dark ages were much longer and much darker than of humans.

"I would like to." I said, but of course there was a catch "But… I am currently grounded."

"Is that so?" he gave quite a mischievous smirk to dad "Reminds me of a certain young prince I used to know."

Dad chuckled and after a second of thinking, replied "You can go, darling." He was looking at me "But I will come with you."

"Me too." Mom immediately added "I want to keep a close eye on you." That glare she gave me. She really didn't trust me to be careful. Not that I blame her. I did act carelessly too many times after all.

"Great." Thomas clapped his hands together and with a smile replied "The more the merrier. And I'm sure my family will be delighted to see you two again."

"It's settled then." Dad spoke up. He was actually happy to go to that trip. I think my parents and this man really must have a long history behind them "Then let's go pack our things and head out."

"But what about the twins?" Mom asked and I must say that was a very good question. Twins, Erania and Jeremy were just 7 months old. We couldn't just leave them in palace alone.

"Let's take them with us." Thomas immediately suggested "It's not like we're going somewhere dangerous. Plus I and my family will be delighted to meet them. Especially Alex loves babies."

Mom and dad both looked at me. I knew exactly why. He could say it wasn't dangerous from the outside, but what was inside… that couldn't be told "Well… dragons never had a habit of making traps or such. I think it should be safe."

"Very well then." Dad clapped his hands "Let's go packing."

Before I even knew it, we were already sitting in our personal shuttle, flying towards the excavation site. While there, mom and dad were taking care of twins, playing with them, while I and Thomas were sitting on the other end of ship. He gave me some of his books about Dragons he wrote.

"I must say I am impressed." I spoke up, still reading the book "You know a lot about our culture."

"Thank you, princess." He replied with a smile "I spent most of my life studying it."

"It shows. But…" I rubbed back of my head "There is one mistake that is repeating. Many of those theories count on strong religious thinking of Dragons. Dragons however never really had a religion."

"Really?" his eyes went wide "But all those temples…"

"Old dragons used to build temples or huge statues to heroes or great kings." I explained "We can translate word for these heroes as 'gods', but it is not precise. Dragons never believed into an almighty being controlling our fates. For example this one." I turned the book and showed him an excavation site he had drawn there. It was just a drawing of wall position "If you split this into 4 parts, you get a name of a hero temple is dedicated to."

He took it and took a good look "He-ria-ku-li?"

"Her'iakuli." I was smiling, feeling kinda proud of all my knowledge "He was a general, who defended Dragon homeworld with only a handful of men, at the beginning of War of Three Races."

"Wow." He exclaimed "I've never thought of it that way. Princess… you are invaluable to an archeologist like me."

"It's OK." I replied, leaning back in my chair "To be honest, I am curious whose this temple will be. How did you find it?"

"Well… recent earthquake revealed local caves. Explorers went in and found a huge chamber in which the temple stands. Locals dug a tunnel to it and called me to check it."

"So… it's underground?" I must say I was surprised. He nodded "That's strange. Dragons never built these temples underground. Only archives were underneath. Cold maybe erosion burry it?"

"I don't think so, my lady." He said rubbing his beard, obviously thinking as well "There is firm rock all around the temple. That wouldn't just sink. Not in just several millennia."

"Well whatever is inside… Dragons didn't want anyone to find it."

If only I knew back then. I was too excited to see the danger that was coming. Ignoring my instincts… giving way to my curiosity. If only I said 'no'. We could've avoided it all.