The palace air trembled under the weight of silence. Queen Ama has just returned from her long tours, something like this was naturally awarded with celebration, but something was off, the halls that once sang music was void of life. Her sandals echoed against the marble floor as she walked through tthe corridors, lined with golden drapes, her eyes sharp,searching and questioning.
"Where is my son?", her voice broke through the stillness, regal yet broken at the edge of fear.
No one answered. The servants bowed, their face pale, not wanting to meet her gaze. She could feel it- the hesitation- the dread, it wrapped her heart like a tightening vine.
For a long while, she said nothing. Her finger traced the edge of his bed- then returned his childhood memory returned- his laughter, his questions and his defiant eyes that mirrored her own.
Then the truth struck her that hollowed her heart. They have send him away.
Rage trembled beneath her calm. Her knuckles tightened into the table until her golden ring sink into her skin.
Immediately, she went to the court. Shouts and disappointments raged in the air. Before her the council bowed, voices trembling under her unimaginable anger.
"Where is my son?" She asked at last.
The council stirred, no one dared to answer.
The king, sitting on his throne with his eyes unreadable and cold, as usual. Said nothing. Deep in his mind, to him, his plans were already fulfilled and what ever actions, the queen took would be vain.
One of the nobles with trembling fingers, finally spoke. Prince Ammon is on a royal duty, commanded by the king.
Her gloved hand slammed against the armest of the throne, shattering the air stillness. "You sent him to Lake Orcas, didn't you."
The nobles froze.
Suddenly, she left not wanting to say much.
Kael who had been watching quietly from the side, clenched his fist. He met the Queen's gaze and bowed deeply. "Your majesty, if I may- I swear to find him, even if it means walking into the jaws of that forest."
The room fell into motion
Ama's eyes lingered on him for a moment. Something unreadable flickered in her expression, but she quickly dismissed it. "Then go", she said finally. "And take only with you those who are still are loyal. If my son still breaths, bring him home."
The room fell into motion.
Servants rushed for armour, guards prepared their stead.
Far from the kingdom golden towers, in the heart of Lake Orcas, darkness stirred.
The Norgardian mountain loomed- it's jagged peaks piercing through the mist like black spears. Beneath its roots, in a hollow chamber wrapped in enchantment and despair was, Elara, the guardian of the forest sat bound in chains of lightless silver.
Each breath she drew in came with pain. The runes carved into her wrist pulsed faintly, feeding on her life essence to sustain her prison.
"Ammon", she whispered. You shouldn't have come here.
She had felt it- the subtle tremor in the forest, the pull of ancient power. The boy have found the golden petals, the one that shouldn't be earthed.
Her heart ached.
If he brought it here, Nogard would rise again.
The beast guarding her chamber, was the four armed beast. A beast that had once obey her call- but now it moved under the call of another.
It turned it's monstrous head towards her, eyes glowing crimson.
"Tell your master ", though clenched teeth. I wouldn't be his vessel.
The beas growled low, its breath hot due to decay. Without another word, the creature turned and left the chamber, it's footsteps echoing through the mountain halls. Elara slumped backward, tears tracing lines in her face.
High above, unseen by mortal eyes, Nogard watched through the cracks of his seal. His laughter were like thunder, shaking rocks from their roots.
"They come", he whispered. "The boy and the fire born friend, carrying my Freedom in their hands."