crossing the palace boundaries due to turmoil stirring in the lowlands. Animosity festered in the heart of Erick's uncle, Baduf, who coveted the throne for his offspring, T

nly Erick's confidant but also his prospective advisor, posed the quest

, the esteemed counsellor," Prince Erick retorted. "And now my own sire has decreed that

uld elucidate why he was probing abo

rt to him?" the prince

t we merely engage in feasting, dancing, imbibing,

r to survey their skirmishes and don human guise

sequester me in the tower," Oryun retorted hastily. "Now that you're at liberty, why don't we repair to the for

ssent? I've scant desire to be subjected to p

, approaches. Perhaps you might p

alighting. Standing, Erick's formidable dragon form eclipsed his mother's stature as he advanced towards

nto the forest. However, remember that there mu

ding my thoughts!" the prince pr

rn. "You are my only son, and we share a special connection. I hear your thoughts and

urself from me?" the prince i

sense your ennui and your yearning to visit the human world. You may go, but only to our forest. Humans fear it and seldom enter; the last one who dared was dealt with by

Empress Zelda's immense power and extraordinary abilities. Two radiant beams of light emanated

er?" the prince questioned, h

nto the human world, you shall be rendered invisible. I am prepared to lift your father's imposed punishment, bu

fair, Mum!" E

ishment, and you will be barred from visiting the enchanted f

g seen by humans, the prospect of invisibility was preferable to enduring ennui. He acquies

t in her embrace as she folded him within her wings. They l

for hunting dragons. Should their eyes fall upon you, they will pursue you relentlessly until they have claimed

and practise transforming into different animals," Eric

nly applies when you are in your drag

at, Mum?" Erick inquire

ress elucidated before she turned to leave. "Now, I must attend to the palace to ascertain what your

sort with the clouds above. The draconian empire was among the most ancient of the godly dominions. Erick's father had

nal cloak enveloping the human realm. The obscurity of night posed no hindrance to them; their vision in darkness was une

ng men on horseback who were hastily racing through the forest's solitary path. Shortly thereafter, a

into stone, but that would prove counterproductive, as other h

humans!" Ory

sten claims they are de

, overhear us, he would mete out severe

nce clarified with a chuckle. "Oh, look! The ones at

who have split from the group are striving to draw the pursuers away,

ascertain whom they endeavour to protect. Today, I

gagged, suspended in mid-air, while they endured relentless torture at the hands of their captors. The assailants were adamant in their demands for informati

rturers scattered. The three young men remained, grievously wounded. Oryun endeavoured to minister to them by anointing their wounds with his dr

antment for their protection. He harboured doubts regarding their prospects for survival, but at the very least, they would be

Moreover, who was the person those young humans endeavour

in a thousand years, and I believe she cau

e are invisible!" Oryun

annot permit any creature to harm such an exquis

ehind her, her long black hair streaming in the wind. Oryun had to concede that the human was indeed strikingly beautiful. They spent the night vigilantly circling a

ing to the cabin-a structure erected by his grandfather millennia past and now his cherished retreat. It was, without question, his favoured haun

an ominous shadow upon the ground that did not go unnoticed by the prince, nor by Esthela who recoiled in fear at the sight. "Moreover, these humans are so merciless. The

the prince enquired,

torment. They were resolute in their quest to extract her location, but the men withstood thei

cal saliva wrought no healing?

seems unlikely. I've sequestered them within a cave for safety. They are unlike the others; those

ermination," the prince mused. "Should you desire, you may return

r hu