Normal POV
"Dragon! The Xadian threat grows every day." Viren said, "There have been sightings of terrifying shadows in the clouds, flying high above the towns and cities of Katolis. War dragons! We must take action." The rest of the High Council listen before Saleer spoke up. "No, we should wait. Xadia sent assassins and they took the king's life." This upsets the High Mage, "And we must answer!" Viren counter, "There hasn't even been the slightest skirmish since then. Maybe that was it? They've had their revenge, and everything will just settle down now." Saleer reasoned. "Settle down? Can't you see the danger we're in?" Viren demanded before giving a sigh, "General Amaya reports that elven forces are gathering on the Xadian side of the Breach. We must be prepared to fight, and we won't be able to fight them alone. We must call for a summit of the Pentarchy." The High Mage added before Opeli spoke up. "You're out of order, Lord Viren. Only a king or queen can call for a summit." She told him, "Frankly, I doubt the other rulers will even look at a message that doesn't bear the king's seal."
"But this is a crisis of historic proportions. Humanity could face extinction if we don't work with the other four kingdoms to do something!" Viren argued, "None of that matters while we have no king. Therefore, our top and only priority must be finding the princes. Until we do, our hands are tied." Opeli held her ground. Ever since he rushed King Harrow's funeral and tried to become Lord Protector, Viren has been at odds with his fellow council member. However, if he plays his cards right… "You were right, Opeli. It is vital that we find the princes– if we don't act now, it might be too late; I'm sure you're already aware of the Moonshadow elf's escape." Hearing this, the High Council grew quiet. "At this very moment, he could be tracking down the princes to finish the job. But if you let me, I can go find two ingredients needed for a tracking spell– so we can find the assassin before he can find the princes. The spell will work at night, which is when he would be resting since he couldn't get far with his conditions." The rest of the council look at one another before granting the High Mage's request.
Azura's POV
I struck the water with the spear in my hand, only to miss. I glared before trying again– and managed to catch one this time. Content, I walk back to where I had placed a creel for the fish I caught earlier; and came across three raccoons raiding it! "Hey!" I called out; catching the raccoons in the act and having them scamper off into the woods, with one of them carrying a fish in its mouth. I ran toward the creel and saw that it was empty, making me realize that they have been stealing the fish while I wasn't looking. "And that is why you never leave your catch unattended." I turned around to see Runaan walking toward me with a look on his face indicating that he witnessed the whole thing and found it amusing.
I glared at the Moonshadow elf until remembering his conditions last night, "You should be resting." I told him. But he return the velvet pouch I placed under his pillow last night, "I'm fine. A good night's rest and nutrition does wonders for an elf healing from Primal Exhaustion." I then realize that he was speaking the truth. Runaan had been in that dungeon, away from the moonlight; and I remember hearing how elves would come down with similar, yet various symptoms when separated from the Primal Source connected to their Arcanum. A Sunfire elf would have chills and lose body temperature; an Oceanmist elf would become dehydrated, and the longer the elf was separated, the symptoms worsen until it becomes fatal. Which explains why Runaan chose the room he slept in; he knew that he needs exposure to the moonlight in order to recover.
Runaan's POV
"Though, it wouldn't hurt to spend one more day. Especially when I brought it upon myself by not eating or drinking anything while I was imprisoned." I said– only to regret saying the last part when I saw the concern look on her face. "So, when I give you that elixir…" she must have realized that with the exception of the moonberry, her elixir and the bowl of stew were the only thing I have eaten since my capture. "I guess I can try again with the fishing. And I'll take your advice on keeping the catch with me. If you'd like to help, there's an apple tree by the stable." She told me as she grab the empty creel and walk back toward the river.
I walked to where the stable is and found a basket to place the apples in before walking over to the tree. I went to reach for an apple, but without thinking, I reached with my left arm. The painful reminder shot through my arm, and I dropped the basket when I recoiled. A minute have passed before the pain wanes, but I had the basket down on the ground and reached with my right arm– just in case. Once I gathered a basketful, I brought it back to the lodge for Azura.
Viren's POV
"Where is it?" I search along the cliff wall for the hidden entrance to a tunnel that leads to a cave full of wisps, one of the ingredients for the spell. While the Moonshadow elf is too stubborn to co-operate, I still need him to tell me what he knows about that mirror. The Dragon King and Queen wouldn't keep it close to them if it wasn't important… Upon finding the entrance, I enter and walk in the dark for a moment before I step into a spacious cavern glowing with thousands of wisps; I gather what I needed in a jar before exiting. Mounting my horse, I make my way back to the castle.
Normal POV
Runaan walked out of the lodge with two tablets in his hand, popping them into his mouth as he walk toward the shed. The analgesic effects kicks in by the time the Moonshadow elf open the shed's door, allowing him to pull out one of the boats stored there. It took some efforts pulling a boat out of the shed and into the water, but not too far in, where the boat could easily float away downstream. After making sure to have the oars with the boat, he went back into the lodge. The mouth-watering aroma fills the air when the Moonshadow elf entered; signalling that the meal Azura was cooking is ready. He could see the woman setting two plates down on separate side of the dining room table, and on the plate are the fillets from the fishes she caught; garnished with the apples he picked and the moonberries from the forest. On the side were wild vegetables that was steamed.
The Moonshadow elf sat down across from Azura and recognize the wild vegetables from the stew last night, but he decided to try the fish; he needs the protein, after all. Putting a small piece in his mouth, he could taste the slightly mild flavour of the fish complemented with the crisp apples– but even the semi-tart taste of the apples is balanced out with the sweetness of the moonberries; a taste that reminded Runaan of his home in Xadia with his family… "Is it not to your liking?" Snapping out of his train of thought, the Moonshadow elf look up to see Azura looking at him. "N-no, it's delicious. I was just… thinking about my sister." He said, half-reluctantly.
Azura's POV
"Your sister?" I asked, earning a nod from Runaan. "She's… the only family I have left." He told me frankly, "And one of the human princes is around the same age as her." I realized that the Moonshadow elf is the eldest between them, as well as the fact that neither him– nor his sister– have their parents left alive. I thought back to how a plague took my mother when I was younger, and how my father was the last of my family until he was murdered… the rest of the meal was quiet after that.
Azura's POV (flashback)
"I don't know why King Harrow insisted on having revenge for something that happened almost nine years ago, especially when Katolis is prospering and at peace." I complained to my father once he explained to me why King Harrow requested that the princes and I go to the Banther Lodge without him. Apparently, Viren have found a spell that can avenge Queen Sarai and the Queens of Duren; but two of the ingredients required was the dying breath Viren stole from the former, and a unicorn's horn. I shudder with disgust when I thought about how Claudia exploited the unicorn to obtain the horn for her father; Queen Sarai would be turning in her grave if she knew what King Harrow was up to. "You're one of his closest advisers; beside Queen Sarai and that… that manipulating, power-hungry monster."
"Mind your tongue when you're around him, Azura." My father cautioned me after looking around to make sure that no one else is listening, especially him. "But I do see your point– this isn't what Queen Sarai would have wanted." He added, "And I'm not condoning it, but dark magic does have a tendency of bringing out the mage's true nature." I looked at him with surprise. "Well, I'd have a hard time imaging what Viren's like before." I skeptically replied, earning a sigh from my father since he knew what I meant. "Azura… I'm going to tell you what my mentor have told me when I was your age." He said gently, "Everything you see and feel is all connected in one way or another. With light magic and dark magic, for example, you cannot have one without the other. And while some would sought for what they could take, those who understand and respect this delicate balance will search for what they can give."
Viren's POV
After hours of searching through my chambers and preparations, I stood on the battlement over the castle's gate with the components for the tracking spell. The sun had set, and a small army stood ready on the bridge– waiting for me to cast the spell. I carefully grind a broken horn in one bowl before pouring some of it in another. Grabbing the flint and fire starter, I got the powder on fire. "Ecnesse ruoy esuf." I began, changing the flame's colour– signifying that I can now fuse it with the jar full of wisps before picking the jar up and faced the forest. "Fle wodahsnoom eht kees." I commanded before opening the jar, releasing the fused wisps to lead the army toward the escaped elf. It will be a matter of time before he's back in the dungeon…
Normal POV
Unable to sleep, Runaan decided to check on the boat again– to make sure that it hasn't floated away. Content that the boat is still there, he walk back to the lodge. "Couldn't sleep either?" The Moonshadow elf looked around before noticing Azura sitting on the roof, "There's a ladder around the back. You're more than welcome to climb up." She added when Runaan began to wonder how she got up there. He went around to the back of the lodge and found the ladder before climbing up, sitting himself securely a good distance; but not too far from Azura. It was quiet, but the Moonshadow elf caught himself looking at her looking at the night sky a couple of times before doing the same and wondering not only on whether or not Rayla is still alive, but how she's doing with her hand…
"Enjoying the view?" Azura's voice broke his train of thought, causing Runaan to look at her. "Beg your pardon?" he asked, "The night sky. With how the Banther Lodge was built, you would get the best view; unpolluted by civilization." The woman rectify. This intrigued the Moonshadow elf, "You said you've been to this lodge before. I take it's not the first time you come up here?" He asked. "Only if it isn't too cold, or even snowing. And I wouldn't want Callum or Ezran to follow me to the roof, lest they give someone a heart-attack." Azura casually replies, "Stargazing is something I like to do with my parents; with my father and I continuing after a plague took my mother." She added with a sad smile.
Runaan's POV
I was quiet when I realize that Azura's mother is no longer alive before looking up at the stars. "You could see more stars in Xadia." I said, not looking away. This got her attention, "Really?" I nodded. "Unlike the night sky in the Human Kingdoms, there are more constellations visible. But as you get closer to the border, you would see them; although they're more subtle." I then remember a particular, Xadian constellation, "There's this one constellation that many elves would look for when it comes to navigation." I said, pointing in the sky toward the east. "You couldn't see it where we are, but it's there. The constellation is of a phoenix; and like its namesake, it is the last constellation you see before sunrise and the first after sunset. Because of it, the Phoenix always flies due east."
It was then Azura noticed something on her left and remembered, "Do you see those two constellations?" she asked. I looked at where she was pointing and saw near-identical constellations close to each other, but I wanted to be sure. "Do they each have seven stars?" I asked, only for her to confirm it before pointing to the larger of the two. "That's the Great Banther. And the other one is the Little Banther." She commented before pointing to the other one, "They're the first constellations my father showed me, and for good reasons. If you look closely at the Little Banther, you'll see a star that's brighter than the others." I looked at the smaller constellation, and saw the bright star at the tip.
Azura's POV
"That's Polaris, the North Star. Humans often look for that star whenever they travel at night because with it, they can always tell which way is north." I told Runaan, "I just realize… that when it comes to looking at the night sky, no matter where you are, humans and elves are not so different." He glared at me, half-puzzled. "True, humans aren't born with magic like the elves and dragons." I quickly added before noticing a strange, violet light approaching the lodge. I realized that Runaan must have seen it as well when I instantly knew what this meant, "Oh, no." I quickly drew my dagger and used it to cut a strand of my hair, "I need a strand of your hair." I ordered the Moonshadow elf as I handed him my dagger, only to see that he's confused.
"One of us is being tracked through dark magic." I told him as I held tight to my strand, "I know a spell that can nullify the effects, but it requires a strand of hair or any other biological substance." He hesitated but decided to take the dagger and cut a strand himself, carefully handing me both his strand and my dagger. I sheathed my dagger, "Make sure you're ready when I cast the spell." I said as before carefully climbing down from the roof.
Normal POV
Not needing to be told twice, Runaan followed Azura down the ladder and into the lodge. There, they hurried to their respective room. The Moonshadow elf put on his coat and armour; making sure not to forget the pouch containing the coins. Grabbed his weapon and quiver, and the satchel, map, and blanket. After he was certain that he have left no trace, Runaan left the room and noticed Azura starting a small fire at the closest fireplace, she looked over to see the Moonshadow elf standing there; looking unsure about her starting a fire.
"The fire's necessary. But if we head for the woods after casting the spell, we'll be able to get away." Azura pulled out the stands of hair before Runaan stop her, "I managed to get a boat ready earlier, since travelling by river would help us cover more distance. Especially since it's flowing toward the east." She was surprised, but she thought about what the Moonshadow elf have told her and nod in agreement. Then, Azura held the two strands of hair close the fire, but not too close to burn her hand. "Erevlossid muitnehart." She chanted before releasing the hair; and a brief light flashes no sooner the hair strands caught on fire. "Let's go out the back door." She said, turning to Runaan.
Azura's POV
Runaan nodded before I make my way out the back with him close behind. We exited the back door and was about to make a run for the river before the Moonshadow elf grabbed me by the shoulder, "Wait." He half-hissed before going ahead and peered around the corner of the lodge. I carefully looked around and noticed that a couple soldiers have arrived, making me realize that I would have alerted them if Runaan hadn't stopped me. We watched as the soldiers entered, "We'll have to be quick and silent." The Moonshadow elf said, "There may be more on their way." I nodded and decided to let him take the lead.
Just as Runaan had said, a boat was ready to go. We put our supplies in before hopping in ourselves, pushing the boat away from the shore in the process. "Get down." The Moonshadow elf then pushed me down with him close beside me, "Pallium tenebrae." I heard him whisper before noticing more soldiers approaching the bridge. One of them turned their heads and looked at the river, causing me to hold my breath. Did we get caught? But then, the soldier didn't sound the alarm; it's almost as if… he couldn't see us. The river continues to push the boat under the bridge and past the guards; the two that went inside were rushing out, "There's a small fire inside; the assassin couldn't have gone far." One of them informed. "Check the stable and shed. The rest of you search the woods."
Normal POV
Runaan let out a sigh of relief once the Banther Lodge, and the soldiers, were out of sight before lowering the enchantment. Azura got herself sitting up before looking at the Moonshadow elf, "What did you just do back there?" She broke the silent. It took a moment for Runaan to realize that the woman was asking about how a guard not seeing them escape. "That was just a spell to enhance the Moonshadow form." He replied, "But since the spell can only be cast during a full moon, I'm surprised that it actually worked."
"You don't strike me as the type who uses magic, especially when recovering from Primal Exhaustion." Azura said candidly, noticing Runaan rubbing one of his shoulders. "You may be right about that. But there are some spells that an assassin can use in certain situations; the spell that I used back there happens to be one of them." The Moonshadow elf explained before grabbing one of the oars, with Azura doing the same.
Viren's POV
The soldiers came back hours later; not only empty-handed, but also with information that the only thing they have found was a dying fire and a couple strands of singed hair. I admit I was grateful that the rest of the council were not there when the soldiers have returned; the news left me uneasy, especially since I can no longer sense my spell's effects. The dying fire and singed hair could only mean that the traitor who freed the elf was a light mage. I happened to know one of those wretched light mages, but I dealt with him to make sure no one else learns about the dragon egg. That egg holds the most powerful creature, and Xadia would use it as a weapon against humanity; but he and others who practice the witchcraft they call "light magic" will never understand. Humans are born with nothing; considered as lesser beings. True, dark magic consumes the essence of the creature used for the spell. But dark magic have helped humanity thrives, and one day… humanity will return to Xadia.