Ilyon Tavert knew his main duty for the day.
The Son, Aeric of Starlight was in the Royal Institution now, but before he left, he had given Ilyon one specific task.
Click! Click!!
The courier's posture was impeccable, with a asured gait of soone trained in the art of perfect etiquette as he walked through the halls.
In his gloved hands were ten letters, each bearing the royal seal pressed into dark red wax. Ilyon's expression was stoic, his deanor disciplined, showing pride in his duty.
As he approached the main gate, two Knightguards saluted, their spears clinking against the polished floor. Ilyon nodded curtly before stepping outside.
The doors were pushed open and before him on the stone perches were ssenger Hawks.
These large, predatory creatures possessing sleek feathers of black and gold were bred for both speed and endurance, capable of traveling vast distances while braving hostile skies.
They possessed a keen mory and were used to deliver ssages to important people all over the Five Regions.
Ilyon approached the Knightguard who stood by the Hawks. "The letters," Ilyon said as he handed them over, one by one.
The Knightguard bowed then carefully placed each of the letters into a secure pouch tied to the Hawks' harnesses.
Once the final letter was secured, the captain gave a sharp whistle. The ssenger Hawks, sensing their command, spread their broad wings.
With a powerful leap, they took to the skies and flew off to their separate destination.
The Archelin family estate was the first to be visited by a ssenger Hawk.
It was an architectural building or rather buildings with courtiers strolled through perfectly manicured grounds. An older maid, dressed in crisp black and white, stood in the courtyard as the Hawk descended, landing gracefully on a golden perch.
She retrieved the letter, her hands trembling slightly as she recognized the royal seal.
Quickly, she hurried inside the main building in search of Lord Gerion Archelin.
The broad-shouldered man was seated in his study. "My Lord," the maid said and handed him the letter.
Gerion raised an eyebrow at the sight of the seal. He broke it open with a simple flick of his thumb.
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"Isn't this curious? Not for Queen Guinevere but from the Prince himself?" Gerion muttered, his voice a deep rumble. A slow smile spread across his face. "The boy has courage, I'll give him that."
The next Hawk landed at the sprawling lakeside castle villa where the Tavert family resided. It had marble columns and the dod roofs reflected in the tranquil waters surrounding it, giving the illusion that the manor floated on the lake itself.
Inside, Lady Elyse Tavert, Ilyon's own sister, renowned for her beauty and sharp wit, lounged on a silk divan, her fingers idly twirling a jeweled goblet. A servant entered, bowing deeply before presenting her with the letter.
She broke the seal delicately, her crimson-painted lips curling into a smirk as she read its contents. "How bold of him," she murmured, amusent dancing in her eyes. "Let's see if the young prince knows what he's doing."
Next was atop the rocky cliff overlooking the sea, where the Selvadez family's fortress was perched: a bastion of strength and austerity.
The sound of crashing waves below was ever-present, a reminder of the family's dominion over the seas. The ssenger Hawk arrived amidst the bustle of guards patrolling the ramparts, its arrival marked by a shrill screech.
Lord Olvador Selvadez, a grizzled veteran with a scar cutting across his cheek, read the letter in silence. His lips stretched to a proud smile "My darling love! My love!?" he shouted excitedly, hurrying up the very long stairs.
"What did I tell you? Delva has been a good influence on that boy! He has begun his reign already!"
Next sas the Dravencourt estate, one of the few buildings in Starlight which seed to have gotten inspiration from Moonlight Region's building style.
It was shadowed by ancient oaks, the gothic architecture imposing and austere. Stained glass windows cast vibrant patterns on the stone floors inside.
Lady Julienne Dravencourt, draped in dark silks, received the letter from a butler. Her crimson nails clicked against the parchnt as she opened it.
"A summons from the Son Aeric," she said softly, her tone both curious and calculating. "A boy summons now. Ha! Ha! How intriguing."
The next ssenger Hawk landed at the Varnell Mansions. As one of the richest families in Starlight, the Varnels were known for their wealth, and their estate was a of opulence.
Gold-accented walls, glittering chandeliers, and tapestries woven with threads of silver adorned every room. Lord Edwin Varnel scoffed as he read the letter. "What is this? The prince thinks he can command us now? Amusing."
The next ssenger Hawk shrieked as it arrived at the Kytherson estate. It was by the rolling hills and vast vineyards, exuding it's very old building , but still very expensive.
Lord Mathis Kytherson, a cheerful man with a hearty laugh, read the letter with a twinkle in his eye. "The lad's got guts," he said, chuckling. "This might be interesting."
The seventh ssenger Hawk moved to the Vale Bastion. The Vale family lived high in the mountains, on a massive building built like a bastion, hewn from the rock itself.
Here, the air was thin, and the surroundings stark but majestic. Lady Cressida Vale, a stoic woman with piercing blue eyes, and bountiful bossoms almost similar to Mother Aurora herself, read the letter in silence before handing it to her steward. "Prepare the horses," she ordered. "We ride at dawn."
The eighth ssenger Hawk arrived at Farrentail Estate.
The Farrentail estate was a sprawling network of interconnected courtyards and gardens. Lord Tobias Farrentail, a short, fat ant flamboyant man with a penchant for theatrics, clapped his hands in delight. "A royal summons! How delightful!"
The ninth ssenger Hawk made its way to the Zorathian Citadel. This estate was where the Zorath family's building rested. It was a fortress of black stone with long spires reaching into the clouds. Lord Damon Zorath, a brooding figure, read the letter with narrowed eyes. "Nonsense, the boy thinks himself a king," he muttered darkly, flinging the letter aside as he continued to pet his dark raven.
Finally, the last ssenger Hawk arrived at Iverre Palace. The Iverre family was one of the most ancient of the branching families, being amongst the first and has never been taken over by any since it beca one.
They lived in a grand round building almost designed like a do but castle like, and surrounded by a shimring moat. Lady Seraphina Iverre, regal and composed, dressed in nothing but a lace garnt on her mat, read the letter with a faint smile.
"The prince is growing bold," she said. "Let us see where this leads."
And so the stage was slowly but surely being set. All these families even though they agreed or refused to lend their aid to Aeric of Starlight will et him for the first ti and he was certain to leave an impression.
Certainly, a family's true goals was to co to light soon. Those who were secretly wishing to beco the royal family themselves, and those who had dreams of their own children attending the Institution kept separately for the Royals.
Nevertheless, Aeric's friends were going to grow, but so were his enemies.
With the mission now completed, the ssenger Hawks began to return to the Castle of Starlight.
One of the Hawks, which had traveled to Iverre Palace, the farthest place from the Castle that was even almost touching the Twilight Region, was returning as well.
Wings flapping, simply soaring to the sky when... ZAP!
A shadow darted across the sky.
It happened in a quick second, but a Lizard Bird, an extrely gigantic and grotesque hybrid of reptile and avian, suddenly lunged from the trees.
It caught the ssenger Hawk with one fast bite, razor-sharp claws sinking into the Hawk's flesh. The Hawk screeched in agony as the predator carried it to a high branch, ready to feast.
However, before the Lizard Bird could enjoy its al, another beast erged from the pile of mud and rocks below.
It had two horns that burned with purple venom, but a stinger behind it and two pincers in front. It was humongous, bigger than the Lizard Bird and around the size of three elephants.
It was a Demon Scorpion, rising from below. The Lizard Bird noticed it a little too late and the stinger struck with terrifying speed, impaling the bird and dragging it to the ground.
The Lizard Bird dragged the Hawk alongside it, eating it at the sa ti as a last al, while the Demon Scorpion swallowed the Lizard Bird in whole, eating both at once.
Squash! A giant clawed foot squashed The Demon Scorpion. What could be larger than a Demon Scorpion? A Half-Drake!
The forest erupted with noise, as the Half-Drake let out a terrifying roar, causing earth to break and trees to uproot.
There were more sounds inside the forest: growls, screeches, and the sounds of struggle as beasts fought for dominance.
The view expanded, revealing the giant Half-Drake, a beast resembling a Dragon but standing at a more humanoid posture, near the size of a full dragon.
Trees fell, earth shook, the madness in the sprawling wilds surrounding Mursbridge was undeniable. A land teeming with danger and death.
Shadows shifted as predators prowled, their eyes glowing in the dim light. In the distance, the mournful howl of a Shadow Wolf, a Faceless Lizard clicked its tongue repeatedly, Dreadfrogs croaked, and Corrupted Orcs roared.
Thirty n alone could not clear this town from this beast incursion.
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