“When we first arrived at Mervious, we were at odds with the natives, orc clans that wanted no part in refugees like ourselves. We trekked through the Blood Bog, a wretched swamp full of savage beasts and serpents. We lost loved ones to the depths of the swamps, but we persevered. We were chased away from the north by both the Cragtale Orcs of the mountains and Stormtusk Orcs of the cliffs. Neither wanted any part of our proposed utopia.

“We imagined a city of great wisdom, peace to all those who wished to settle there. Far from the horrors of the Black Moon and far from the war that surrounded it.

“We settled in East Mervious, and built a town. The ground was fertile for crops and winds swept out lands with plentiful rain. We were happy for a time. Soon word spread of our settlement, and other refugees of the war flocked to us, and we took them in.

“To celebrate our new found peace, we constructed our great library, Sel Rosh Rueh. And we all rejoiced. All was right with the world, even though it was burning down all around us…”

“That is all this one speaks of,” said Koda as he finished reading the scroll that Sable brought him. He returned the scroll back to Sable.

“Perhaps the third scroll will have the information that I still seek,” Sable said out loud to herself. She rummaged through her satchel and pulled out the final scroll to be translated by the elven king. “Here, read it, please.”

He looked at her long and hard before speaking. “Why do you truly seek the Daybreak?” Koda sighed and accepted the scroll, but placed it on the bed instead of unraveling it.

Sable paused before replying, “I am a historian. Part of a research team assigned to uncover the ancient secrets of New Estinia.” She smiled coyly. “Isn’t that what brought you here in the first place?”

Koda’s brow perked up. “Yes… I read about an ancient city in Mervious—a city of elves and angels.”

“Sik J’Dio Sahde Alanoon, the beacon under shadow,” said Sable. She sat down on the bed and gestured for Koda to do the same. “Come, my king, tell me what you have found.”

Koda gave Wildeye a worried look. He lowered his head and rubbed his brow, his thoughts grew heavy with the weight of the shadows deep in his mind.

Sable nodded. “You still do not trust me.”

Koda’s face grew hot and his breaths grew longer. Wildeye struggled to stand but collapsed on the floor.

“You can trust me, Koda,” Sable said. She lowered her voice to a whisper so soft that Koda could not hear. “His Magi weakens his mind, I only need a push to my direction, Tezhok.”

Koda’s legs staggered as he reached out for Sable. “I-I need to lay down…”

The runecarver assisted him and laid Koda down on the bed. “Search your heart Koda, deep down you will see me as a friend.”

Koda closed his eyes, his body grew cold and numb, his throat turned dry and his lips cracked. He arched his back and raised his chest, squirming in and gripping his sheets.

“Search your heart Koda, deep down you will see me as a friend…” Sable repeated.

You will see me as a friend…

You will see me as a friend…

As a friend…

Friend…

Sable’s voice echoed softer and softer in Koda’s head. A sharp pain retched in his chest, he moaned and gripped his face in excruciating pain.

You will see me as a friend…

You will see me…

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The voice soon turned raspy and dark—as dark as the Magi that poisoned his soul.

Friend…

As a friend…

You will see her as a friend…

The voice screamed at Koda until he snapped open his now vibrant ultraviolet colored eyes.

Sable took a hold of Koda’s hand. She looked at the wolf. Wildeye rose to her feet and swayed back and forth in a daze. Sable turned back to Koda, his breathing was calmer.

Sable leaned forward and whispered in Koda’s ear. “Are we friends?”

Koda licked his lips. “Water… Can you bring me some water?”

Sable reached over to a pitcher on the nightstand and poured the elf a glass of water.

Koda gently accepted the water and drank. He rolled to his side. “I-I don’t know what came over me. M-My head aches.”

“You may have just been lightheaded from the lack of fresh water. Are you feeling better now?”

Koda rolled to his back once more. He wove his fingers and rested them on his chest. “I suppose you’re right.”

Sable tapped her cheek. “Koda, do you trust me?”

The king turned to her, shocked by the question. “Of course I do, you are one of my closest friends!”

“Of course you do, silly me,” Sable chuckled. She sat beside him. “Tell me what you have learned of Sik J’Dio Sahde Alanoon.”

“I believe a Celestial Seal lays dormant in the city. I tried to start an expedition with Tashna to find and protect it, but her ego got in the way.”

Sable laid back as well and twisted to her side. “I learned of the Celestial Seals as a little girl. Have you heard the old children’s rhyme?”

Koda shook his head. “You can say I was a sheltered child.”

Sable smiled fondly and recited the rhyme:

“A long time ago

When the Moon hung low

We didn’t know friend from foe

Our life was dreary

Dark, bleak, and eerie

Some would say even very, very weary

Then five seals were made

But then the angels strayed

And oh no! The demons stayed!

So that’s the deal

Run or be their meal!

‘Cause everyone knows you can’t break a seal!”

Koda giggled. “Well, I suppose that is a silly way of teaching history.”

“But this is how I was first introduced to the legend. I’ve always wanted to see one ever since.” Sable sat up. “Could you imagine if they were never created? The angels would still be with us today.”

“And the world would be destroyed. My grandfather told me that the gods would only continue their wars here on Draak’Terra if we had no seals.”

Sable turned her head and smirked. “Perhaps your grandfather is wrong?”

Koda sat up to face Sable. “Well, my grandfather often clouds the truth with stories and his own prejudices.” Koda frowned and tucked his legs.

“Oh? In what ways?” Sable pried. She had him curled around her finger.

Koda’s mind grew clouded once more as he paused to answer her question.

“Come now, Koda. We are friends. You don’t have to hide anything from me,” Sable cooed.

Koda nodded. “My grandfather was against the building of our nation.”

“He didn’t want progress for his own people?” Sable gasped.

“It would seem—it would seem he was wrong about my path as a king. He even told me he couldn't trust me with the knowledge of the seals in the first place, that I was dangerous…” Koda lowered his head in shame.

Sable raised Koda’s chin. “No, Koda. Your grandfather is a foolish old man. All the world knows you are the heart and soul of Long Whisper.” She tapped the scroll, egging Koda to read once more. “Please, help me find my Celestial Seal.”

Koda gave her a bright smile and opened the scroll.

“Our library was destroyed, as well as our home. Together with the angels that wanted no part of this war, we carved a new sanctuary underneath the earth. It lies north of our once proud library. Our city, Sik J’Dio Sahde Alanoon, will forever be a well of peace and knowledge, where no warmonger or evil shall find us ever again.

“To forge our destiny with the end of the Skyfallen rule, we have agreed to allow a heaven’s mark to be written at the base of our city. As a mark on our dragon realm, it will also mark our place in history too.

“Nothing shall go wrong now.

“-Fervius Daybreak, recorder of the Daybreak tribe”

Koda lowered the scroll. “If you find the seal, tell me how amazing it was.”

Sable stood and bowed. “I am sure you will see one in time, too, my king.”

Koda pressed his fingers on his collar. “Perhaps… someday soon.” It bore many cracks and fractures; whatever he had done, it would not restrain him for very much longer.