The human of the Dragon Prince

stening steps, made for the entrance, his eldest son Lotha at his heels. Upon flinging open the door

ming, they'

demanded Dominico

la has turned to fixation. They are on their way to take

commands to his kin: "Lotha, find Esthela. Escort her

ation."Esthela, run! Daughter, you must escap

where Lotha is waiting astride his horse. With eyes brimming with tears, Anora embraces Esthela fervently and hands her a satchel packed with hastily chos

rmination. "We shall repair to my abode. We'll give them the impr

al themselves amidst the shrubbery on the far side of their abode. They had barely ensconced themselves when they espied a con

dread throughout the shire. His eyes had once tarried on Esthela's comelin

ire palpable as he cast aside the sign that suggested their absence. "T

sure him. "They abscond for days seeking wares and are oft delayed

ing towards a servant roused by the tumult. "Where are your masters

ly servant responded, his understanding of t

m at Mass not long ago; the

red, contrary to the disfigurement he had imagined for so many years. The old servant, fully cognisant of the g

mbarking on their trading ventures. They attend Mass to

e they bound?"

or Esthela, whispers abound that she is to be

ching a fever pitch. "No, this shall not pass! Esthela is mine by right! We

s plea falling on deaf ears as Florian summarily

ide in a futile attempt to salvage their possessions, they were seemingly slain by Florian's guards who were in ferv

andparents; they will find her. They ha

" Dustin chimed in, his voice laden with fear as he

ty, was also blessed with exceptional acumen. He ruminated briefly

voice rose in a

eyond discovery. We shall rotate in attending to her needs. Esthela, harbour no fear. I shall not perm

darkness and whispered fears, they pressed on into the virgin, dense forest. Few had the temerity to tread such gr

"I would confront those fabled beasts a thousandfold rather than succ

st's threshold, they urged their mounts forward with unwavering resolve. The hounds

find a cabin. It is a relic of a hunter long since passed. He was the one who introduced me to this place in my youth; hence my kno

lored. "Florian will not spare any

brother Lotha stated with unwavering resolve. "Flee, Esthela. Do not render our sacrifices futile. Go! Never

eril. Esthela pressed on, her grip tight on the saddle amidst the enveloping gloom, when suddenly, harrowing screams rent the air, as though a savage beast had launched an at

d at the hut come dawn. Situated atop a rise with a commanding view of a river below, she forded the stream a

er gaze fell upon a pair of boots tucked away in another corner. Her fear was nigh on paralysing, yet she stemmed the tide of tears, realising with a sinking heart that her brothers were absent. What f

. She cast her eyes skyward but discerned nothing. What manner of creature could cast such a silhouette? Besieged by dread, she stepped within and fastened the door wit

of this realm as one inhabited by colossal dragons and sundry otherworldly entities that preyed u