The Guardians

Iris Erendil

                           September 13
                             1 hour later
                      The Land of Water
                                 (Ivaris)

They hitched a ride in a wagon riding past. Concealed under cloths, they entered the palace.
Swiftly, they climbed out and hurried inside to find Gilbert. They could sense his mana deep below as they got closer. Avoiding the many knights that roamed the halls they quickly found a large staircase that led underground.

Descending the stairs they sensed they were getting closer and after passing many doors they found large double doors. Pushing open the heavy doors, they creaked open. The first thing they were met with were bars, they had found the dungeons, confused as to why Gilbert would be here they began to search for him.

"Gil?" Nolen called and Gilbert's head perked up from where it hung.

"Nolen?" He questioned and they hurried towards his voice, soon coming across the cell he stood in.

"Gil! What happened?" Nolen asked him and the advisor shook his head.

"It's true... the queen is dead. Johnathan has killed her and taken the throne."

"What about the princess?" He inquired.

"She is alive, but missing."

"We have to find her..." Nolen said as he grabbed the bars. Mana traveled to his palms as fire began to heat the bars and soften them. He pulled them apart until they were open wide enough for Gilbert to step through.

The three of them secretly roamed the halls of the palace, shrouded in silence as they sought for the princess, Iris Erendil. Their footsteps echoed softly against the ornate walls.

As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth of passages, their senses heightened. It was a secluded corridor, dimly lit with flickering torches and a torn tapestry bearing the emblem of House Erendil.

The quiet halls were shattered by the sudden appearance of patrolling knights. Caught off guard, Nolen, Julian, and Gilbert shared urgent glances, their hearts racing with the realization that their presence had been discovered.

Without hesitation, they sprang into action, their training and instincts kicking in as they attempted to evade the knights and disappear into the shadows once but the palace guards were vigilant and well-trained, swiftly closing in on the intruders.

In the chaos of pursuit, Nolen and Julian found themselves separated from Gilbert, their escape routes blocked by the encroaching knights. With no other option, Nolen made a split-second decision.

"You go look for the princess, I'll keep them distracted." Nolen said urging Julian to continue searching for the princess while he diverted the guards' attention. Dashing down the corridors and evading patrols, Nolen's heart pounded in his chest.

As fate would have it, Nolen's flight led him to a part of the palace rarely traversed, or more like unable to traverse, the entrance to the legendary dragon Cliff. The air grew thin as he climbed the long staircase and before he knew it, he was pushing open a large door and the panoramic view of the sprawled landscape unfolded before him. Dragons flew overhead while some laid idly.

Amidst the breathtaking view, Nolen's eyes caught sight of a figure peeking from behind of a dragon's wing. It was the princess of The Land of Water—no doubt. Her presence was truly a beacon of hope for the shadows that's clouded Ivaris.

Her green eyes met his golden ones, a silent understanding passing between them. Nolen, breathless from his journey approached Iris with a mix of reverence and determination, ignoring the dragons that landed, bellowing, as he got closer.