Chapter 49: Shadows of Sylvanoria
Queen Liora awoke to a meticulously arranged room, every detail tended to except for her bed. With a grace born of regality, she moved toward the bathroom, finding it impeccably prepared. The morning greeted her with a whispered promise of mystery.
"Good morning, Queen," the old man acknowledged her presence.
"What concoction did you administer yesterday?" she inquired.
"A restful herb," he replied, urging her to prepare for her impending training.
"But the people await, and the kingdom is in jeopardy," she protested.
"You cannot go, my queen. We addressed this yesterday. The new king has placed a bounty on you, and the shadow troops are no mindless foes in war; they are cunning, prepared, and strategic," he warned.
"How long will it take?" she queried.
"As long as your intellect permits," he cryptically responded.
He led her through a secret passage in the library, their clandestine journey revealing a missing bodyguard and a captured Elara.
"Elara has been captured by the prince. There is a spell in the dungeon restricting magic. Did you know?" he asked.
"No, but she'll need your help. Who is she to you?" Liora inquired.
"A loyal student. The dungeon has a secret door leading out of the palace. Only a select few know of it. Here is the map of every secret passage in the palace," he said, presenting it to her as they navigated the hidden corridors.
"May I have it?" she requested.
"No, not yet. The time will come," he cryptically replied.
They arrived at the once-majestic Ravenstone Fortress, now shrouded in cobwebs and the frozen remains of a dragon. The old man revealed the truth behind the castle's destruction.
"Ravenstone Fortress, the castle of Sylvanoria Empire, the source of all split kingdoms in Australisterra. Demon, Witcher, Mage, Dragon Keepers, and Witches formed a great alliance. However, the time came when the witches felt obsolete. Each kingdom in Australisterra, Eldoria, Celestria, Valeria, Drakonia, and Sylvanoria, had mages and alliances with demons. Sylvanoria stood out, being the only empire with dragon keepers. Emperor Ignatius married his fifth wife, a witch on a mission in disguise," he revealed, leaving Queen Liora to unravel the intricacies of her destiny in this intricate web of alliances, betrayal, and ancient powers.