Endris was a large world, but one where all of civilization was nearly destroyed. The Age of legend tells us that the entire continent had once been explored by humanity until a great terrible cataclysm called the beast-tide took place that drove humanity to the edges of the continent. From the madness they say the Goddess Caphaine descended onto the world raising up powerful humans to fight the beasts off. At the end they were rewarded with sitting at her side in ruling and watching over her beloved creation. At least that is what the human preachers would say.

Draakin and the other humanoid races had a slightly different mythos. Rather when the Goddess Vasphaine who was Caphaine’s twin sister discovered that the beasts were rampaging across the world she took the essence of the beasts and combined it with human heroes who would be born from her womb. From that union the primordial gods arose and fought back, ending the beast tide. From the Dragon God the child of Vasphaine the Draakin emerged.

After thousands of years and occasional attacks by monsters and beasts. Civilization began to push back against the wildlands and reclaim long forgotten regions of the world.

That at least is what the Dragon Priests taught, but Aerin always suspected that both sides were not telling the entire truth, but to say such things in the presence of Dragon Priests was unadvisable. The Goddess Vasphaine had long ago ceased answering the prayers of her faithful subjects and the only nations who seemed to have active deities were human nations. This was much to the displeasure of the other races naturally.

Having spent the day packing she couldn’t help, but feel building anticipation. The inn she had stayed in seemed to treat her even more politely since she got back from the event. Apparently the innkeep had been attending the festival and saw her results.

Throwing on her nicest green tunic with a red sash at her waist which matched her crimson eyes. As she finished getting herself ready three soft taps came at her door.

“Please open!” Aerin called as she straightened up everything.

The door opened an one of the inn maids poked her head through “Miss two guards are here to escort you.”

“I will be right down thank you!” Aerin nearly pranced as she grabbed her bag and shot down to the first floor of the inn. Standing at the bar two well armored men with simple curved blades were chatting with the innkeep.

One of them glanced over and straightened up immediately “Greetings Miss Aerin Kil’ara we are hear from Lord Fenmiar to escort you to where you will be staying.”

Opening the door they led her down the steep streets of Flamespire. The air was fairly clear today as the volcano Flamespire was founded upon was not active today and it meant people would be out cleaning off excess ash to send down to the lower levels. The ash would then be sent all over the kingdom to be mixed into a hardened material that was extremely durable, but easy to produce. It was an easy way for people to make extra coin on the side.

As they ascended the housing progressively got nicer and cleaner. The two guards made mindless chat about their families and what they would do after their shift Aerin simply followed, marveling at the increasingly nice buildings. As they approached what appeared to be a massive wall of black stone a lift approached from a lower floor and stopped where they were waiting.

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“Enter the lift Miss and good luck this is where we take our leave.” Both soldiers gestured for her to step onto the lift.

Aerin looked at them confused. “Where does this lift go to? Is Lord Fenmiar not on this level?”

Both guards gave her a confused look through their helms “Miss Kil’ara this leads to the palace did Lord Fenmiar not tell you?”

“Oh I see… silly me the palace…wait…did you say the palace?!?” The shock nearly caused Aerin to shout out at them her hands trembled ever so slightly as she tapped her cheeks to wake herself up from the clear dream.

“Miss Kil’ara the lift will be going soon. Since Lord Fenmiar didn’t say anything it would be inappropriate for us to say more. Good luck.” Both guards gave a slight bow and turned around back from where they had originally come.

As her knees shook Aerin sat down on a small bench that lined the inside of the lift as a creaking sound started the lift began to be pulled upwards. Looking out at the city and the surrounding landscape from this high was breathtaking, but Aerin couldn’t dwell on this knowing their was a distinct possibility she would be in the same location as the Emperor of all Draakin himself.

‘I didn’t even buy a better outfit…this is a complete disaster’ Aerin thought as she looked herself up and down as the lift approached the top.

As it leveled off at the top a familiar face appeared smiling gleefully as if he had done something devious. Lord Fenmiar stood there with his hands behind his back wearing a nice collared tunic a royal crest intricately woven on it.

“Well would you look at this you made it!” he exclaimed as if it were a surprise that she had.

Aerin pouted and huffed “Lord Fenmiar if this is what you consider a funny joke I am most definitely not amused! Why did you not inform me of your relation with the royal family? I am going to completely embarrass myself if I should be seen in such plain simple clothes.”

Draakin were a ferociously serious people generally the concept of a practical joke while not foreign was not seen in a good light generally. Of course nobility likely had a different sense of limits compared to those who had to work hard to make a living in this challenging world.

Fenmiar did not respond, only motioned for her to come forward and gave a lite chuckle.

The Palace was enormous and mirrored in many ways the human Xi Long Dynasty and Confederation of Dahae in terms of architectural style. No one was entirely sure why, but it gave them a distinct appearance.

They traveled deeper into the massive complex that included a maze like web of courtyards and bridges.

“I did not tell you for a simple reason” Fenmiar did not bother to look at her his previous joyful and carefree expression gone. “The royal household is filled with politics and infighting. Branch families will seek your favor even my own. Not because they like you, but because you are useful to their ends.”

The surprising thing wasn't so much they would want to use her, but it seemed the palace was not as unified as most Draakin assumed.

“The Queen wishes to spare you of all the drama and directly recruit you into her entourage, but first she wants to meet you.” Fenmiar continued to lead her deeper into what amounted to be a miniature city at the top of Flamespire.

‘The Queen?’ Aerin could hardly keep her body from losing all its strength. The Queen was known to be the second half of the empire behind her husband only and she would soon potentially serve one.of the most powerful Draakin in all of the Empire.

At last they arrived at what could only be described as a palace within a palace the entire decor screamed tranquility and elegance.

Tapping in the frame near the entrance three times Fenmiar stood respectfully.

“Come in.” A mature womanly voice emerged.