Frenost Estate Boucorym Province

In the great estate's gardens, Litralia held a letter just delivered from the capital. Having read the handwriting, she knew reading the contents would lead to unwanted distractions.

'Why must she trouble me now?'

Milty was finally able to find Lanthim. Dealing with her mother-in-law was an unwanted distraction, as was Mynrea trying to pry information out of all her maids. Litralia had little desire to be ordered to do anything.

Looking at the letter, a feeling of disdain emanated from it.

"You received a letter from the old witch; well, what does it say?"

Litralia looked to her left to see that Mynrea had come to the garden.

"I have yet to read it."

Litralia lowered the letter from her view, turning slightly to see the lake in the center of the gardens. The silent beauty here was pristine and without flaw.

'What is he doing that far east?'

The news had come through Nelmara, a maid sent to help in the search. They were using long-distance communication magic to stay in contact with the estate. Her group had received a report from Milty Trigel, who was travelling further east, concerning the location of which she and Lanhou had found the boy also, his going into the Great Waste. Feelings of dread filled her heart when she heard that news.

"To enter that salt pit on his own, a brave individual, your eldest son is Litralia."

Standing beside one another both women looked out to the lake, a soft breeze blew softly causing the trees to sway slightly. Looking at each other, Litralia was smiling.

"Before Lanthim was born, Nedral and I were only girls for years and years. It's strange that only after thirty-seven daughters I finally was able to have a son."

She turned towards the estate and saw Syralia coming into the gardens with Harvalyn.

"Then melryn came followed by aldain both beautiful little boys, unlike their older brother."

Letting her smile fade, Litralia looked to the east wing of the estate.

"Lanthim was a serious child playing with him while he would smile and act the part. I knew he had no interest in those kinds of things. He needed the magic to be doing something with mana and the clarity one can receive from it."

A thought of loneliness could be felt in litralia's heart, reminding her of those lost days.

"He cast off what he believed was not required. While I will not say that such things are acceptable in our society, it would not be wise to judge an individual that may be more powerful than myself."

Mynrea did not turn to Litralia; instead, she continued to observe the lake as she spoke. Regardless, there was a grin on her face when she saw Litralia's surprise at what she had stated.

"You should read the letter as soon as possible. Arielia does not like being kept waiting."

Moving closer to litralia as she said this, both looked at the letter.

"Litralia, I require your presence in the capital without delay. You are to bring lanthim's former caretakers with you immediately."

Signed Arielia Strentolos

Both women stared at the message and then looked at each other.

"Things must be moving in a strange direction if they are thinking of bringing you to the capital."

She commented to Mynrea as she was passing the letter.

"She must believe that one of you knows why he left."

This might have been the case. Arielia always had to know what others knew, regardless of whether they wanted to give that information.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"It will not be possible for Milty to return at this time. She and lanhou continue to follow lanthim through the waste."

Litralia hated dealing with her mother-in-law at the best of times, but now that Lanthim had finally been found, getting him home was much more important than figuring out why he left in the first place.

"I think it will be a good change of pace for you."

By this time, Mynrea had moved from the banks of the lake to a stone bench beside one of the many paths that wove through the gardens.

"Leave the children here it will be safer that way than you can go with no worries I doubt this meeting will last more the a few days."

Sitting alone, Mynrea looked towards Syralia, playing in the lower garden with her caretaker running about.

"What will you do, Mynrea? I hear that Nedral has called your sons to this meeting as well."

Both women now sat together while watching Syralia as she continued to play, her beautiful smile brightening in her presence.

"I will go to the capital as well. I can see things getting out of control when Arielia starts dictating orders."

Adjusting her dress slightly, Mynrea could see someone she had sent for earlier in the day enter the garden. A tall, handsome man standing well over six feet wore the crest of a clan that Litralia had not seen before. Clearing the gap from the estate to where the both of them were sitting seemed so effortless to this individual. Looking at him as he stood on the path just before both women, this man bowed slightly.

"My mother, may I ask what business you call me here this morning?"

He looked at Mynrea with an almost childish smile; however, under that smile lay an annoyed, almost cross attitude.

"I plan to leave for the capital with Litralia later today. I would express my desire to have you accompany us."

The gentleman took a step forward, Looking a little off balance by this statement.

"Are you serious you call me here to deal with some minor human affair over a lost child?"

A face of disgust seemed to emanate as he spoke these words.

"Eldra, I would not call you here for this human affair if I did not believe that there was any benefit in it."

Looking now to Litralia sitting next to her, Mynrea continued.

"I think you may find great interest in this little distraction, or are you enjoying your women so much that you have lost the desire to look for a good fight like a dragon male should."

Unlike their human counterparts, male dragons are not bound to marriage laws, going here and everywhere. Looking for a mate or mates, it was not uncommon for a single male dragon to have a group of females that he would mate with. When they grew bored of him or proved too weak in battle, he would end up with nothing. That being said, one never tested the honour of a male by implying that he would prefer to sleep with a woman than fight. If there was one thing that a dragon would desire to do, anything else is to fight an opponent that could potentially beat him.

"What are you suggesting, Mother, that there might be some person that can give me the battle I desperately desire?"

Eldra stood like a statue, the smile of skepticism on his face. Looking down into his mother's eyes, one could say his evaluation of the situation had begun to change.

"Where can I find this person?"

He asked, a look of doubt present on his face. Raising her right hand, which Eldra took, Mynrea rose from her seat. Her smile had not dimmed as she looked to the east.

"He is in the Yelsoman Waste as we speak. If you were to escort us to the capital, you might find your way to the fight you desire."