Spirit's Found

There had always been dragons in the valley…

…at least, until the reign of Reginald Gunvald.

The mighty dragons of the ancient land of Alicae were the guardians of the Calicor- the Heart of the Heavens. Not only did the heart protect the dragons and guard their territory, but its power served as a beacon for the dragons, giving each a piece of its power that allowed their spirits to become one.

One day, the ruler of Drin’Divol made the decision– he wanted Heaven’s Heart for himself. There came but one problem in that he had no way to find it, its magic safe-guarding itself and hiding it from the eyes of any but those with the dragon spirit.

Lord Reginald waited 129 days to enact his plan–the festival of Scales, when the spirits of the dragons would visit Drin’Divol in order to honor a ruler during their final days before the next heir’s ascension to the throne by giving them a scale. One hundred twenty-nine days spent plotting a plan that could not be afforded error.

He played the part of the grateful, honored ruler, thanking the dragons for yet another honor in the bestowing of their scales. After the ceremony, the dragons spent some of their time meeting those humans who had worshiped them so kindly and cared for the kingdom they’d provided them. It was during this time that Lord Reginald’s fiercest warrior managed to capture the dragon of wind, called Surue, by cutting him with a blade made of coal, which had long been rumored to disrupt the magic of Heaven’s Heart.

Cut off from the Calicor, Surue never returned to Alicae.

Lord Reginald never got to see the fruition of his plan, falling victim to the harsh winter and a bout of illness. His son was asked to carry on his legacy, his promise of finding Heaven's Heart for all of their people. He became dedicated to the cause.

That is how Lord Rholin Gunvald became one of the most fearsome warlords of Drin’Divol.

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“Another restless night, Master Laine?”

Dorian knew him too well.

“Why do I have to be up so early, Dorian? Perhaps my nights would not be so restless if I was not awoken before dawn by my father!” he groaned, leaning his arms on the table and settling his head in the nest they formed.

“Your father requested to speak to you on an ‘important matter’. I, unfortunately, am not privy to details. However, my presence was requested, as well, so I suppose we will find out together.”

Laine scoffed, falling to a hush as his father’s footsteps thundered in from the hall. Dorian gave him a playful nudge of the shoulder before standing at Lord Gunvald’s attention as the War Room’s doors opened. He gave a reserved bow before stepping back and settling behind Laine. Rholin leaned heavily against a thick wooden walking stick with different ancient Drin symbols carved into its surface. Despite the entirety of their people knowing how their Lord’s leg bothered him these days, Rholin refused to use the walking stick aside from within the confines of their walls.

“We will be having the Festival of Scales in 12 days’ time. In that time, you will be going through all of the steps to ascension with Dorian, and then you will become the new Chief. Is all of this understood, Dorian?”

“Yes, of course, my Lord.”

“Are you going to ask me?” Laine inquired, an eyebrow raised in a challenge.

Their eyes locked, and Laine only barely managed to conceal the shiver that struck up in his bones.

“My words were clear, were they not? I believe that will be all, you will start preparing after your schedule this morning. Dismissed.” Without another word, he stormed out, or at least as much storming out as one can with a limp.

“Well, off we go, Master Laine. We’ll be late…” Dorian attempted, not saying a word further as his charge pushed back and stood from the table, brushing past him and charging out the door towards the stables. Dorian shook his head and rushed after him.

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“You’re positive it was Surue?”

“It can’t have been, Surue’s dead! We all felt them!”

“We also felt that spark-”

“That spark was nothing! Surue was stabbed with coal, their magic severed, they are gone! It is time we accept it.”

“Callux, please…”

Callux stopped in their tirade with a huff, turning to face the two perched on the stairs. Amnia’s head leaned into Xalo’s shoulder, shoulders slacking into the Earth Dragon’s gentle hold and eyelids half-drooped, glistening with unshed tears.

“I…It was Surue. I swear it! They are alive.”

Callux sighed, always holding a soft spot in their heart for Amnia, as they all did. Their heart held too much passion, held onto hurt far too easily, and was just a little too naive sometimes. He made way towards the stairs, his hand finding itself settling onto Amnia’s cheek and wiping the first of the tears away.

“I believe you, dewdrop, of course. I just…it has been so long since we’ve thought of having Surue back-”

“But we can get them back, can’t we?”

Callux couldn’t respond, sharing an uncertain glance with Xalo as they ran a hand through Amnia’s dark hair playfully.

Suddenly, a translucent shimmer filled the air, causing each of the dragons to perk up in wonder as they all turned to face the source of the magic. The Heart beckoned them forward and Callux, being closest to it, reached it first, gazing into it as he deciphered its message. Their eyes met Amnia’s hopeful ones as the two waited eagerly for them to say something.

“There will be a Festival of Scales this year. We must prepare immediately, the Drin Chief says it will take place in 12 days.”

“The one that I felt Surue’s magic in was near the Drin territory! They have to be there!”

“Slow down, ‘nia,” Xalo chuckled, poking Amnia’s shoulder softly, “They don’t have to be there, but if you felt the magic, then we can find Surue regardless, right Callux?”

“Of course, we must do what we are there to do, and that is honor the stepping down of the current Chief. However, if after the festivities, we happen to find something-”

Amnia burst forward and hooked their arms around Callux, stunning them into silence until they met the embrace with a soft smile. Amnia turned to Xalo with that same child-like glee.

“We’re going to bring Surue home.”