Aeron tilted his head, curiosity tightening into concern. " What exactly do you mean by 'a slight problem?' "
Starfania glanced away, drawing in a slow breath as if steadying something fragile inside her.
" I anticipate that accessing the location without attracting attention will be…difficult, " she said carefully. Before either of them could press her further, she turned on her heel and began walking. Atlas followed immediately, his massive form moving with surprising quiet claws clicking softly against the dirt. Aeron and Violet hurried after them, exchanging puzzled looks as the tension steadily grew.
After several steps, Starfania stopped. Atlas halted with her, then lowered himself into a seated position at her side, attentive and calm. Starfania turned to face the siblings, then briefly met Atla's gaze—drawing strength from the silent reassurance there. She took a deep breath.
" The real problem," she said, voice steady but heavy, " is that it's inside the palace grounds."
Aeron and Violet froze.
" In a forgotten garden," Starfania continued, " one my family once cherished."
The words lingered, weighted with memory. Aeron stared at her, unease creeping into his expression.
" Forgotten?" he echoed. " How does an entire garden just…disappear?"
Starfania met his gaze, her eyes reflecting nostalgia and quiet grief. " It didn't disappear. It was sealed away. Locked behind neglect and fear. After my mother died, no one wanted reminders of what the kingdom used to be."
Violet stepped closer, brow furrowed.
" But if it's hidden," she asked, " how do we even get to it? The palace grounds are crawling with guards."
Starfania shrugged slightly, though tension stiffened her shoulders. " There are old paths—service routes, overgrown walkways. They were designed to be discreet, not secure. Most people don't even know they exist anymore."
A heavy silence followed as Aeron absorbed thought.
" And if we get caught?" he asked quietly. Starfania hesitated.
" I don't know," she admitted. " But I do know this—Atlas can't stay out in the open. And that garden…"
Her voice softened. " It mattered. To my mother. To VulcanFire, before everything changed."
Atlas shifted beside her, sensing the unease. A low rumble resonated from his chest—not threatening, but grounding. Violet straightened, resolving flashing in her eyes.
" Then we'll find a way," she said firmly. " Together."
Starfania looked at her, a flicker of hope easing the tension in her chest.
" If we do this," she said, " we have to be smart. Quiet. No mistakes."
She crouched slightly, drawing closer to the group. Aeron and Violet leaned in instinctively. Even Drogo padded forward, tail swishing once as he settled beside Aeron, while Atlas angled his head toward Starfania—both dragons listening in their own way. Starfania exhaled, her mind already racing with routes, timing, and risks.
" Alright," she said softly. " Here's the plan…"