A week had passed since Grim stepped into the swirling waters and vanished. Rain had fallen for three days afterward, gentle but persistent, as if the sky itself mourned his disappearance.
The weather was deceptively pleasant given the somber mood within the Warden’s Residence.
Around the large table in the eting room another eting was about to start. Princess Liona sat at the head, her face looked composed, but on the inside she was worried. Lianna paced near the window, unable to remain seated. Huangyan stood silently in the corner. The Obsidian Knights, Terran and Sora, stood behind the princess while various city officials filled the remaining seats.
Harbormaster Rennick cleared his throat. "The reports from the coastal villages are all the sa, Your Highness. The flooding has receded completely. Fishern report normal tides and currents. It’s as if the disturbances never happened."
"Except for the dozens dead and the destruction left behind," Lianna said sharply.
"Yes, of course," Rennick anded. "I only ant the water itself has returned to normal."
Duval, the port’s magistrate, nodded in agreent. "Trade has resud without incident. No ships have been lost this past week."
Liona’s fingers absently touched the crescent pendant at her throat. "And the ruins?"
The tides no longer recede as they did before. Most of the structures remain underwater permanently now."
"And the glowing?" Liona pressed.
"Gone, Your Highness. The water is just water again."
Lianna stopped her pacing. "It’s as if everything that happened was just... erased. Except Grim is still gone."
"We’ve explored every inch of the ruins accessible to us," Huangyan said. "There’s no sign of Lord Ambrose or the creatures he encountered."
"He didn’t just disappear," Lianna insisted. "We all saw him step into that pool. There has to be a way to follow him."
Terran, the senior Obsidian Knight, spoke for the first ti. "With respect, there may not be a way. Not one accessible to us, at least."
All eyes turned to him.
"From what you reported, Grim had a private conversation with the creatures just before the Jiaolong returned. When you joined the battle, the creatures spoke in a language you couldn’t understand. You could only understand the large creatures that were their because they spoke into your mind. The only information we have is that they are related to each other and their father is The Dragon King."
"After what we witnessed in those ruins?" Lianna yelled. "A dragon that speaks with the mind? Fish-n who create walls of water from nothing?"
Liona raised a hand, silencing the brewing argunt. "The imperial archives contain nurous references to the Dragon King."
"I suggest we return to the capital," Terran replied. "You’ve fulfilled your scholarly investigation of the coastal ruins, which was the stated purpose of this journey. Lord Ambrose’s disappearance should be reported directly to the Empress."
"And leave Grim behind?" Lianna’s voice rose in disbelief.
"Lady Lianna," Terran said, his tone respectful but firm, "he will return when it is ti for him to return, not before."
"That’s assuming he can return at all," Huangyan said quietly.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
After a mont, Liona spoke. "Terran is right about one thing. I must return to the capital and report these events to Mother." She turned to Huangyan. "You should remain here. Keep searching the ruins, speak with local fishern who know these waters. If there’s any sign of Grim’s return, send word imdiately."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"The rest of us will prepare to depart tomorrow morning," Liona declared, rising from her seat. The eting was clearly over.
As the others filed out, Lianna remained by the window, staring out at the harbor where ships bobbed peacefully on the waves. Liona approached her quietly.
"You don’t have to return with us," the princess said softly. "I know how you feel about him."
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In the imperial capital, the palace gardens blood with sumr flowers, their scent carried on a gentle breeze. The Empress moved slowly along the stone path, pausing occasionally to admire a particularly vibrant blossom. Chancellor Levenheart walked beside her, maintaining a respectful distance while they discussed matters of state.
"The southern trade routes have reopened fully," the Chancellor reported. "The disruptions appear to have been temporary."
"And yet we have reports of villages destroyed, lives lost," the Empress replied. "These are not minor inconveniences, Chancellor."
"Of course not, Your Majesty. I ant only that the imdiate threat seems to have passed."
The Empress stopped beside a small pond where lotus flowers floated serenely on the surface. "And what of Lord Ambrose? Has there been any word?"
"None, Your Majesty. The last report from Port Velmira stated he was continuing his investigation of the coastal ruins."
"A week ago," the Empress noted. "No ssenger birds since then?"
"None directed to the palace." The Chancellor hesitated. "However, there was a ssage delivered to Lord Luminaris yesterday. From Port Velmira."
The Empress’s expression didn’t change, but sothing flickered in her eyes. "Was there? How interesting that Lord Luminaris receives news from the south before his Empress."
"I’m sure it was a personal matter, Your Majesty."
"Few things involving Lord Ambrose could be considered rely personal, Chancellor." The Empress reached down to touch the surface of the pond, sending ripples across the water. "The Ambrose family has always been... complicated."
The Chancellor remained silent, knowing better than to comnt.
"My daughter travels with him," the Empress continued. "I find it curious that she hasn’t sent word either."
"Princess Liona is in the care of your Obsidian Knights, Your Majesty. If there were cause for concern—"
"There is always cause for concern Chancellor." The Empress straightened, her gaze moving to the distant mountains.
Before the Chancellor could respond, a palace servant approached and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, Lord Luminaris requests an audience."
"Does he indeed?" The Empress’s lips curved in a small smile. "Send him to the small chamber. I will receive him shortly."
The servant bowed again and departed.
"You suspect Lord Luminaris knows more than he’s reported?" Chancellor Levenheart asked carefully.
"I suspect everyone knows more than they report, Chancellor. It’s the nature of power." The Empress began walking again.
"Your Majesty?" The Chancellor looked confused.
As they reached the end of the garden path, the Empress paused once more. "Chancellor, tell sothing. Do you believe in dragons?"
The Chancellor blinked at the unexpected question. "I... believe in the empire’s traditions, Your Majesty."
"A diplomatic answer." The Empress smiled faintly. "But soon, I think, diplomacy will not be enough."
With that cryptic statent, she swept toward the palace, leaving the Chancellor staring after her with a troubled expression.
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