THE DRAGON'S LAIR

stood on the

he misty lands

casting a golden hue over the kingdom. Below h

the shadows that th

raphina's thoughts. She turned to see her loyal serv

ncil is waiting," Alista

eplied, her tone steady but her ey

felt uneasy. Serenity preceded turmoil with a treacherous façade. The g

bers, each from a powerful noble family, sat in a semi-circle. Their faces showed impatie

e," Lord Malvern said. His voi

et his gaze with a steely resolve. "My apologies for the

d. "The King's forces have increased their patrols. It see

rant, had a firm grip on the throne. But he was becoming mo

n. "But it's not the King we need to worry about. There are whispers of

heart skipped a beat. A new alliance could mean disaster,

alliance?" she ask

ave been amusement. "That, my dear Lady, is what w

lara. She was a shrewd, influential noblewoman. Elara's gaze lingere

the library. The knight's presence was a stark contrast to the polished elegance of the council cham

er voice softening as she app

where he was examining a map of

alvern has little information, but we know it's forming

ons. "If this alliance is powerful enough, it could

help to investigate. We can't afford to

d her, his presence command

gures who might join the alliance. "We start by quest

We'll need to be discreet. If word gets out that we're pro

eful. We must take immediate action. The f

onlit streets of the city surrounded them. Their first stop wa

low voices. Seraphina and Rowan slipped into a corner b

ert. "We need to blend in and listen. Someone

scanning the crowd. "Let'

e tavern keeper, a burly man with a gruff demeanor, seemed particularly tight-lipped.

a warm smile. "This place has quite the reput

th a cloth. "Aye, we get all sorts in here

I'm sure you hear all kinds of inter

cion and reluctance. "Can't say I've heard much.

rward, his tone softer. "You could help us find someone who might know more. We nee

you? Well, there's a fellow who comes around now and then and says he

nged a glance. This could

or its shady dealings and secret meetings. The moonlight c

light. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and must. Seraphi

e alliance is almost complete," one figure said, their voice low a

night?" the other asked. "They're

a big threat. Their enemies knew of their

ced with the implications of what they had overheard. The alliance was more d