Chapter 5: The Sorceress’ Secret
The journey to the Frost Peaks was arduous. The temperature dropped rapidly as they approached the towering, snow-covered mountains. Drakon's powerful wings cut through the icy winds, his scales shimmering like frosted armor. As they neared the peaks, Dolla, Ecco, and Nyra wrapped themselves in thick cloaks to ward off the biting cold.
“Do you think we’ll find the sorceress here?” Nyra asked, her breath forming small clouds in the frigid air.
“We have to,” Dolla replied, her eyes scanning the rugged landscape below. “Tharos’s book mentioned that she has knowledge of the runes. We need her help to decipher them.”
Ecco pointed ahead.
“There! That looks like an entrance to a cave.”
Drakon descended gracefully, landing at the mouth of a large ice cave. The entrance was framed by enormous icicles, some as tall as a man, glittering in the weak sunlight.
Dolla dismounted and patted Drakon's neck. "Stay here and keep watch. We’ll be back soon."
Drakon rumbled in response, his warm breath melting the snow around him.
As they entered the cave, the temperature dropped even further. The walls were lined with glistening ice crystals, and the floor was slick with frozen water. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing eerily in the vast, silent space.
After a while, the tunnel opened into a massive chamber. At its center, a figure stood with her back to them, draped in a flowing, dark cloak that contrasted starkly with the icy surroundings. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and she appeared to be chanting softly.
Dolla cleared her throat, her voice reverberating off the ice walls.
“We seek the sorceress of the Frost Peaks. We need your help.”
The figure turned slowly, revealing a strikingly beautiful woman with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through them. Her gaze was sharp and assessing.
“Who dares to enter my domain?”
Dolla stepped forward, holding up the scroll. “I am Dolla, the dragon rider. We are on a quest to stop Lord Biron from using a powerful artifact. We need your knowledge of the runes.”
The sorceress’s eyes narrowed.
“Lord Biron... I know him well. What makes you think I would help you?”
Ecco took a step closer, his voice calm and respectful.
“We’ve heard you have a grudge against him. We share a common enemy.”
The sorceress laughed bitterly.
“A grudge? That’s putting it mildly. Biron betrayed me long ago. He stole something precious from me. But why should I believe you can defeat him?”
Nyra stepped forward.
“We don’t ask for your trust blindly. We ask for your help to make things right. Biron’s reign of terror must end.”
The sorceress studied them for a long moment, her eyes flicking over each of them in turn. Finally, she sighed.
“Very well. My name is Saphira. I will help you, but know this: Biron is more dangerous than you can imagine. You must be prepared for the worst.”
Dolla nodded.
“We are. Thank you, Saphira.”
Saphira gestured for them to follow her deeper into the cave. They walked through a series of tunnels until they reached a smaller, more intimate chamber. A fire crackled in a hearth, casting a warm glow over the room. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient books and magical artifacts.
Saphira motioned for them to sit by the fire. “Tell me everything you know about the artifact and the runes.”
Dolla unrolled the scroll and laid it out on a low table.
“This is the prophecy that led us here. It speaks of a dragon rider destined to stop Biron. Tharos, the sorcerer of the Glowing Marshes, gave us this book of runes. He said you could help us understand them.”
Saphira studied the runes carefully, her expression thoughtful. “These runes are indeed ancient. They hold the key to neutralizing the artifact’s power, but they must be combined in a very specific way. If even one rune is out of place, the magic could backfire.”
Ecco leaned forward.
“Do you know how to combine them?”
Saphira nodded.
“I do. But it will require great skill and precision. The magic involved is dangerous, and it will take time to perform the ritual.”
Nyra glanced around the chamber.
“Why did Biron betray you? What did he steal from you?”
Saphira’s eyes darkened.
“He stole my sister, Seraphina. We were both sorceresses, but he coveted her power. He took her and left me for dead. I’ve been searching for her ever since.”
Dolla’s heart ached for Saphira. “We’ll help you find her. Biron must pay for what he’s done.”
Saphira’s expression softened slightly. “Thank you. Now, let’s get to work. We need to prepare for the ritual and gather the necessary ingredients.”
For the next several hours, they worked together to prepare the ritual. Saphira taught them the intricate details of the runes, showing them how to draw them with perfect precision. They gathered rare herbs and magical stones from Saphira’s collection, each one essential for the spell.
As they worked, Saphira shared more of her story.
“Biron was once a trusted ally. We fought together against many enemies. But his ambition grew too great. He desired power above all else, and he saw my sister as a means to that end.”
Ecco frowned.
“Do you think Seraphina is still alive?”
Saphira’s eyes filled with a mixture of hope and sorrow.
“I believe so. Biron wouldn’t kill her; he needs her magic. But I fear what he might have done to her over the years.”
Dolla placed a reassuring hand on Saphira’s shoulder.
“We’ll find her. And we’ll stop Biron.”
Saphira nodded, a steely resolve in her eyes. “Yes, we will.”
As night fell, they moved to a large, open chamber within the cave, where Saphira had prepared a ceremonial circle. The runes were drawn meticulously on the icy floor, glowing faintly in the dim light. The ingredients were laid out carefully around the circle.
Saphira stood in the center of the circle, her hands raised.
“We are about to begin the ritual. Once we start, there’s no turning back. Are you ready?”
Dolla, Ecco, and Nyra nodded, their expressions determined.
Saphira began to chant, her voice echoing off the ice walls. The runes on the floor glowed brighter, pulsing with magical energy. The air around them seemed to vibrate with power.
Dolla, Ecco, and Nyra watched in awe as the ritual progressed. The glow of the runes intensified, and the temperature in the chamber seemed to drop even further. Saphira’s voice grew louder, her chanting more intense.
Suddenly, a blast of icy wind swept through the chamber, and the runes flared with a blinding light. Dolla shielded her eyes, feeling the raw power of the magic swirling around them.
When the light finally subsided, Saphira stood at the center of the circle, breathing heavily. The runes on the floor had transformed into intricate patterns, their glowing edges shimmering with energy.
“It is done,” Saphira said, her voice filled with exhaustion. “The runes are combined. This will help you neutralize the artifact’s power.”
Dolla stepped forward, her eyes wide with admiration. “Thank you, Saphira. Your help is invaluable.”
Saphira smiled faintly. “Remember, the magic is powerful but dangerous. Use it wisely.”
Ecco looked at Saphira, a question burning in his eyes. “What will you do now?”
Saphira’s expression grew determined. “I will continue my search for Seraphina. But first, I will join you in your fight against Biron. He must be stopped, and I will see to it personally.”
Nyra nodded. “We’re glad to have you with us.”
Dolla extended her hand to Saphira. “Together, we can defeat Biron and free Eldoria.”
Saphira took Dolla’s hand, a look of fierce resolve in her eyes. “Yes. Together, we will bring him down.”
With Saphira now part of their team, they left the Ice Caves and returned to Drakon, who greeted them with a low, welcoming rumble. They mounted the dragon and took to the skies, the cold wind biting at their faces.
As they flew, Dolla felt a renewed sense of hope. They had gained a powerful ally and crucial knowledge to stop Biron. The journey ahead would still be fraught with danger, but they were one step closer to their goal.
Saphira rode with them, her eyes scanning the horizon. “Our next destination should be the Desert of Shadows. There, we will find another sorcerer who can help us.”
Ecco nodded. “We’re ready. Let’s keep moving.”
Dolla steered Drakon towards the distant desert, the dragon’s powerful wings carrying them swiftly over the frozen peaks and into the unknown. With Saphira’s guidance and their newfound knowledge, they felt more prepared than ever to face the challenges that lay ahead.