With the very first rays of dawn creeping into the valley, Dalirina slowly opened her eyes to find Elinor already wide awake, staring deeply into the silent void.
She turned around, searching the small clearing for Fairo, but his place beside the dying embers was entirely empty.
Her heart tightened instantly, a cold wave of raw fear rushing through her veins. — "Where did he go? Did something terrible happen to him?"
She cautiously approached Elinor and whispered with mounting worry: — "Did you see Fairo? Where did he go?"
But the great white dragoness remained completely silent, watching her with her large, mystical eyes without giving a single answer.
Before her anxiety could grow any stronger, a familiar voice cut clearly through the morning air: — "Dalirina! Are you awake?"
She turned quickly and saw him emerging from between the thick trees, holding a few fresh fish in his hands. She rushed toward him with quick, frantic steps: — "Where on earth were you? I was so worried about you!"
He offered a warm smile, setting the fish aside on a flat stone, and said: — "I went to catch some early food for Elinor, and to scout a safe place to hide her. I found a nearby mountain with a hidden cave large enough to conceal her form."
She looked at him with a volatile mix of deep relief and genuine amazement, then broke into a soft smile: — "Where did you get all this cleverness from all of a sudden? I didn't even think about how we would move around undetected with a huge dragon like Elinor!"
Fairo chuckled lightly, a playful glint in his eyes: — "Finally, you admit that I am smarter than you!"
She shook her head with mock disdain, giving his shoulder a playful, sharp shove: — "You don't have a brain at all, Fairo! There is just a heavy rock inside that head of yours!"
He laughed even louder, leaning closer to her with a mock threat: — "Idiot! Watch your words or I'll cut your tongue off!"
They both burst into genuine laughter, the tension of the previous night melting away before they headed toward the mountain. There, they safely left Elinor inside the large, shadowed cave, fed her the fish, and Dalirina strictly asked her not to move from her place until they returned.
Then, they set off together toward the grand green city.
The road ahead was like stepping into an entirely new world for Dalirina. Her eyes widened with absolute wonder at every single step. There were magnificent plants she had never seen before, exotic flowers blooming in countless brilliant colors, waterfalls flowing endlessly down emerald cliffs, and rivers so crystal clear they perfectly mirrored the blue sky. Golden butterflies floated all around them, dancing in a magical, hypnotic rhythm.
She stopped for a brief moment, gazing wildly at everything around her, pure wonder painted across her face. She whispered softly to herself: — "How different this place is from my kingdom… There, it is only cold stone castles, sternness, and caged dragons… But here, life itself breathes absolute beauty."
Amid the lively, bustling noise of the green city, Dalirina walked with hurried steps, her eyes glowing like a young child discovering the world for the very first time.
Colorful, hand-painted pots filled the winding streets, and exotic flowers dangled beautifully from windows and walls. These walls were not made of dead stone or clay, but of living, intertwined plants that pulsed with vibrant life.
Children ran around laughing among the butterflies and singing birds, while the gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blossoms through every single corner. Dalirina couldn't hide her wide, ecstatic smile; she turned here and there with childish joy, as if terrified to miss even a single scene of this botanical wonder.
Fairo chuckled softly at her absolute amazement and teased: — "You look like some primitive girl who has never seen a single green plant before in her life."
She glanced at him quickly and replied with a playful, sharp edge: — "Of course I do! I am not like you… you have spent most of your royal life visiting grand foreign kingdoms and luxury markets."
He tilted his head with a smug, handsome smile: — "Then you admit you really are a primitive girl."
She stopped dead in her tracks, gave him a sharp, burning glare, and said coolly with mock disdain: — "I will not ruin my perfect day arguing with an idiot."
She continued walking briskly past him, while he only smiled, muttering under his breath with amusement: — "Crazy girl."
Suddenly, Dalirina froze in complete astonishment. In front of her was a fascinating plant that actually moved on its own, as if life itself flowed far more strongly through its roots. It opened its small, petaled mouth to gently receive food directly from its owner's hand.
She rushed toward it, her eyes wide with shock. — "Oh my God… how can a simple flower possess a mouth?!"
The man who owned the strange plant only stared at her, thoroughly surprised by her intense excitement. Before he could answer her, Fairo stepped in, speaking to the merchant in a strange, melodic language she didn't understand at all.
They exchanged a few quick words, then Fairo turned back to her: — "It's one of the rarest magical plants here. They call it a Flowmouth. Only the high royal traders are allowed to sell it."
Dalirina's lips parted in a wide, genuine smile of pure enchantment: — "It's… absolutely wonderful!"
While she was still entirely enchanted by the market's vibrant magic, Fairo approached her side with a sly, knowing grin: — "Do you want to try something really fun?"
She nodded with childish eagerness, her eyes sparkling: — "Yes, please!"
He gently grabbed her hand and led her quickly through narrow alleys filled with cascading flowers and exotic birds, and she followed him without a single question. Suddenly, she found herself standing in front of a grand shop covered entirely in glowing plants, from the stone ground all the way up to the roof.
Fairo gestured toward the ornate door: — "Come on, let's go inside."
She followed him in, and as soon as she crossed the wooden threshold, her eyes widened in complete awe. The place was like a miniature, breathing forest. The walls, the high ceiling, and even the rustic tables were completely covered in lush green plants and rare, glowing flowers.
She whispered unconsciously, in genuine, breathless wonder: — "It's… paradise."
Fairo smiled softly, his eyes locking onto hers: — "Keep that exact word in mind, because you are definitely going to need it once you taste their food."
It wasn't long before a courteous waiter approached their table, speaking with Fairo in the same strange, native language. They exchanged a few quick orders before the man bowed and left. Dalirina turned to him with intense curiosity: — "Don't they speak our language at all? What language is this tongue?"
Before he could answer her, beautiful, ethereal music suddenly filled the air. They looked up to see a musical troupe enter the establishment gracefully. Their strange instruments played cheerful, upbeat tunes as their voices rose together in a harmonious song.
One of the charismatic musicians approached Dalirina with a bright smile and handed her a small, glowing flower. She accepted it with childlike joy, laughing as she watched their lively performance, completely enchanted by the culture.
Soon after, large plates of exotic food were set gracefully before her. Their artistic shapes and vibrant colors were like nothing she had ever witnessed in her life. She raised her brows in sheer surprise, but Fairo encouraged her with a warm smile: — "Taste it… enjoy it."
She hesitantly took her very first bite—and her eyes instantly opened wide in pure amazement: — "This is absolutely incredible! What is this taste? I can't even tell the different ingredients apart… I have never eaten anything this delicious before!"
Fairo chuckled warmly at her reaction: — "It's their traditional, sacred meal. Only the true, ancient natives of this land know its secret recipe."
Dalirina smiled brightly, diving back into the food with absolute delight, savoring every single bite as if she had just discovered a whole new world of senses.
When they finally finished their meal, they left the magical shop feeling lighthearted, full, and incredibly happy.
But their newfound joy did not last long.
From afar, through the crowded marketplace, Fairo suddenly noticed the ruthless soldiers of ice again. Their eyes were sharp and scanning the crowd, their cold hands gripping heavy weapons tightly.
He whispered tensely, pulling her closer into the shadows: — "They're here again. They tracked us."
He clasped her hand tightly, and they both began to run frantically through the twisting alleys. But suddenly, without warning, Dalirina's heart clenched in agonizing, suffocating pain.
She clutched her chest tightly, her breath growing dangerously shallow and heavy: — "Fairo… I feel it… I feel like Elinor is not well… I don't know why or how, but I am absolutely certain of it!"
He stopped, staring at her in complete shock: — "How can you possibly feel that from all the way out here? I don't understand…"
Her voice shook with a terrifying, overwhelming fear as tears pricked her eyes: — "My heart hurts so bad… and my mind can think of absolutely nothing but her pain. It's like something deep inside my blood is screaming at me… we have to go to her cave right now, please, Fairo!"
He hesitated for a brief second, calculating the danger of the soldiers, but the raw, breathless panic in her eyes made him nod firmly: — "Alright… let's go."
Together, gripping each other tightly, they rushed wildly through the streets, completely leaving behind the city's lively sounds as they headed straight back toward the mountain…
Where an unknown, dark danger was already awaiting Elinor.