Bounds by scales and secrets.

Chapter 2 : Call of the forest

The dawn broke over Harm with a gray, subdued light, as if the sun itself hesitated to shine upon the troubled kingdom. Arie sat on the edge of her bed, turning the amulet over in her hands. The runes on its surface seemed to shift and writhe as though alive, their meaning just beyond her grasp. Her mother’s words from the diary echoed in her mind: Trust the forest, for it holds the answers you seek.

She had always felt a strange connection to the forest beyond the palace walls. As a child, she would sneak past the guards to wander beneath its towering trees, finding comfort in its silence. But now, the thought of returning filled her with both anticipation and dread.

Dressing quickly in plain riding clothes to avoid drawing attention, Arie slipped out of her chambers. The palace was still, the guards drowsy from the night’s watch. She made her way to the stables, where her loyal horse, Mira, greeted her with a soft nicker.

“Shh, girl,” Arie whispered, stroking Mira’s muzzle. “We need to be quiet.”

Moments later, she rode through the palace gates, the amulet tucked safely beneath her tunic. The forest loomed ahead, its ancient trees standing like silent sentinels.

As she entered the woods, the air changed. It grew cooler, heavier, as though she were stepping into another world. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in fragmented beams, illuminating patches of moss and wildflowers. The deeper she went, the quieter it became, until even Mira’s hoofbeats seemed muffled.

After what felt like hours, Arie reached a clearing dominated by an enormous tree. Its gnarled roots twisted like the fingers of some ancient giant, and its bark shimmered faintly, as though imbued with starlight.

The amulet in her hand grew warm, and a voice echoed in her mind: You have come, child of Eleanor.

Arie froze, her eyes darting around the clearing. “Who’s there?”

The air shimmered, and a massive form emerged from the shadows—a dragon, its scales gleaming like molten silver. Its eyes burned with a fierce intelligence, locking onto hers.

“I am Kaelthor,” the dragon rumbled, his voice deep and resonant. “Guardian of this sacred place and ally to the spirits. You carry the mark of their favor.”

Arie’s heart pounded. “Why have they sent me? What do they want from me?”

Kaelthor tilted his head, his gaze piercing. “Your father’s sins have thrown the balance of this world into chaos. The spirits demand atonement, and you are the chosen instrument of their will.”

“I don’t understand,” Arie said, her voice trembling. “How can I, a mere princess, undo what my father has done?”

The dragon lowered his head until his massive snout was level with hers. “You are more than a princess, Arie. You carry the blood of Eleanor, who gave her life to protect this realm. Within you lies the power to restore harmony—but the path will not be easy.”

Kaelthor explained that her journey would take her to the Spirit Realm, a place where mortal and ethereal worlds intertwined. There, she would seek the Veil of Balance, an artifact capable of undoing the damage her father had wrought. But the way would be perilous, fraught with trials designed to test her heart, mind, and soul.

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” Arie admitted, clutching the amulet.

“Courage is not the absence of fear,” Kaelthor replied. “It is the will to act despite it. The choice is yours, Princess. Will you fight for your people, or will you let their suffering continue?”

Arie hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. But as she thought of her mother’s sacrifice, the countless lives lost under her father’s rule, and the villagers who lived in constant fear, a spark of resolve ignited within her.

“I’ll do it,” she said, meeting Kaelthor’s gaze. “I’ll find the Veil and set things right.”

The dragon’s expression softened. “Then we begin. The spirits have already granted you their first boon.”

Kaelthor raised a claw and tapped the amulet, which glowed brighter. Arie felt a surge of energy course through her, and the forest around her seemed to come alive. She could hear the faint whispers of the trees, the heartbeat of the earth beneath her feet.

“This is the gift of connection,” Kaelthor explained. “It will guide you and reveal truths hidden from mortal eyes. Use it wisely.”

Before they could continue, the clearing was suddenly filled with the sound of approaching footsteps. Arie turned to see a group of men emerging from the shadows, their faces obscured by dark hoods. They carried weapons and moved with the precision of trained soldiers.

“Princess Arie,” their leader said, his voice dripping with mockery. “The king sent us to bring you back. He won’t be pleased to hear you’ve been consorting with dragons.”

Kaelthor growled, his massive form tensing. “These are no mere soldiers. They are shadows of the cursed, bound to your father’s will.”

Arie’s blood ran cold as the men advanced. “What do we do?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Kaelthor spread his wings, casting a shadow that engulfed the clearing. “Hold tight to the amulet and trust in its power. I will protect you.”

With a roar that shook the ground, Kaelthor unleashed a blast of fire, forcing the soldiers to scatter. Arie clutched the amulet, feeling its energy surge as she whispered a silent prayer. The air around her seemed to shimmer, and she felt an invisible barrier form, shielding her from harm.

The battle was fierce, but Kaelthor’s strength and Arie’s newfound connection to the spirits turned the tide. When the last of the soldiers fled, the clearing fell silent once more.

Kaelthor turned to Arie, his expression grim. “This is only the beginning, Princess. The path ahead will be even more dangerous. But if you stay true to your purpose, you will prevail.”

Arie nodded, her fear tempered by determination. “I’m ready.”

Together, they left the clearing, venturing deeper into the unknown as the first steps of their journey unfolded.