[THE GOLDEN PARLOR]
The sight was both comical and outrageous…it was like watching two people sipping tea in the middle of a cataclysm.
"Well, hello! It's certainly good to see you again so soon." The shopkeeper said with a friendly voice, with no trace of surprise seeing another person in the abandoned city.
Arthos said nothing…he calmly walked toward their table, pulled out a seat, and sat with them.
The shopkeeper smiled as he said, "I take it your investigation into the ring went well?"
"Did you…wait…of course you did. How did you?" Arthos stopped his question as he thought of how to best reword the million questions floating in his mind.
"Were you here before? Before Avalor was built?" Arthos asked finally deciding on a logical first question to start the conversation.
"Which time?" The shopkeeper asked.
He smiled seeing Arthos' stunned expression.
"Avalor, the Avalor you know, was built five years ago. More like rebuilt…it was rebuilt and expanded on top of the ashes of a ruined city. Long before this Avalor, there existed another Avalor."
"The first Avalor was founded almost a thousand years ago by a good man…he became its first King and watched over the city like his own child. It was truly beautiful…you should have seen it during its glory days. The stone pathways, golden arches…and the people! The people were happy and joyful and blessed and free…we lived free."
"What happened?" Arthos asked.
"What always happens…war. As the Kingdom of Avalor grew and prospered, the neighboring Kingdoms grew envious and fearful. They formed an alliance and without warning attacked Avalor…they burned it to the ground. Most of the people were killed…a few managed to survive…very few."
The shopkeeper paused and wiped his eyes, talking about old ghosts has a way of resurrecting them. Memories can be a terrible thing, fragile too…and must be handled with caution.
"The King…he was a good man…a kind man…in his final moments he used his power to save those he loved. That was 50 years ago. Since then, the Kingdom and city of Avalor remained desolate. The magic beasts multiplied without limitations or constraints and turned this land into a dangerous wilderness."
"50 years ago? So…exactly how old are you?" Arthos asked in amazement.
"I'm 387 years old," the shopkeeper said with a playful smile.
He continued, "not too bad right? Well, that's nothing really. Average people here live to 150 to 200 years of age, others with exceptional mana can live to 500…and very few from a certain bloodline can live beyond 1,000 years."
"Thank you again for all your help…I know you have been helping us from the start. What I don't know is why." Arthos said with sincerity.
"Magic beasts and dungeons are only the tip of the iceberg…there are far more dangerous threats coming and we need to stand together if we wish to survive." The shopkeeper warned.
"What's coming?" Arthos asked.
"War." Pompy answered breaking his silence.
"What should we do?" Arthos asked.
"Head north, there you will meet an archer dressed in dark green. His name is Kay…he an ally and friend." The shopkeeper said.
[...]
[CAMARAX - EASTERN FIELDS]
"My Lady…you need to see this," one of the guards said with a serious tone.
Hiding in the wagon with the group's supplies was a young blue haired boy. Giggling and laughing unashamed of being caught hiding in the supply wagon.
"Lucern…what are you doing here?" Elencia asked frustrated.
"I heard you were going on a top secret mission so I decided to come too! I can help!" The boy said with excitement as he waved his stick (fictitious sword) around.
"My Lady, should we turn back to the castle?" A guard asked.
"No…we will waste too much time. Proceed with extra care. No harm should come to the Prince." Elencia ordered.
She turned her attention to the boy.
Elencia said sternly while addressing her younger brother, "Luceran, I need you to listen carefully. This is important. I need you to stay hidden inside the wagon. Don't come out unless I tell you. Do you understand? This is a undercover mission just for you."
The boy's eyes brightened hearing those words and he readily complied.
[...]
[AMALOT EMPIRE, CASTLE AMALOT]
[The Next Day]
"My Liege, we received pressing news…according to our spies, Camarax has sent a second detachment to negotiate with Avalor." Chief Counselor Dorne said with uncontrollable excitement.
"So, King Isandor doesn't want to fight? Even after his men were killed. He is weak and stupid." The Emperor scoffed.
"Yes my Liege. The King is so desperate to reach a peaceful resolution that he foolishly sent his sister, Princess Elencia to negotiate personally!"
"The King sent the Princess? Very interesting. Where are they now?"
"They are approaching the border with Avalor. Traveling with the Princess is a small detachment of knights and attendants…and more importantly Prince Luceran as well!" The chief counselor squealed with delight.
"The young Prince is with them as well? Oh, how foolish can King Isandor be? This is perfect." The Emperor smiled and burst into a vile laugh.
He continued, "send assassins to kill them all. Leave none alive. Soon I plunge my sword into King Isandor's heart and bring an end to his wretched line…then Camarax will be mine!!!"