With the first rays of dawn, Dalirina slowly opened her eyes to find Elinor awake, staring into the void. She turned, searching for Vairo, but his place was empty. Her heart tightened, fear rushing through her veins.
— "Where did he go? Did something happen to him?"
She approached Elinor and whispered with worry:— "Did you see Vairo? Where did he go?"
But the white dragoness remained silent, watching her with her large eyes without giving an answer.
Before her anxiety grew stronger, his voice cut through the air:— "Dalirina! Are you awake?"
She turned quickly and saw him coming from between the trees, holding some fish in his hand. She rushed toward him with quick steps:— "Where were you? I was so worried about you!"
He smiled, setting the fish aside, and said:— "I went to catch some food for Elinor, and to look for a place to hide her. I found a nearby mountain with a cave large enough for her."
She looked at him with a mix of relief and amazement, then smiled:— "Where did you get all this cleverness from? I didn't even think about how we'd move around with a huge dragon like Elinor!"
Vairo chuckled lightly:— "Finally, you admitted I'm smarter than you!"
She shook her head with mockery, giving his shoulder a playful shove:— "You don't have a brain at all, just a rock inside your head!"
He laughed louder, leaning closer with mock threat:— "Idiot! I'll cut your tongue off!"
They both burst into laughter before heading toward the mountain. There, they left Elinor inside the large cave, fed her the fish, and Dalirina asked her not to move from her place.
Then they set off toward the city.
The road was like stepping into a new world for Dalirina. Her eyes widened with every step; plants she had never seen before, flowers in countless colors, waterfalls flowing endlessly, rivers so clear they mirrored the sky. Butterflies floated all around, dancing in a magical rhythm.
She stopped for a moment, gazing wildly at everything, wonder painted across her face. She whispered to herself:— "How different this place is from my kingdom… There, only castles, sternness, and dragons… But here, life itself breathes beauty."
Amid the lively noise of the green city, Dalirina walked with hurried steps, her eyes glowing like a child discovering the world for the first time. Colorful pots filled the streets, flowers dangled from windows and walls — walls not of stone or clay, but of living plants intertwined, pulsing with life.
Children ran laughing among butterflies and birds, while the breeze carried the fragrance of blossoms through every corner. Dalirina couldn't hide her wide smile; she turned here and there with childish joy, as if afraid to miss even a single scene of this wonder.
Vairo chuckled at her amazement and teased:— "You look like some primitive girl who's never seen plants before."
She glanced at him quickly and replied with playful sharpness:— "Of course! I'm not like you… you've spent most of your life visiting kingdoms and markets."
He tilted his head with a smug smile:— "Then you really are primitive."
She stopped, gave him a sharp glare, and said coolly with mock disdain:— "I won't ruin my day arguing with an idiot."
She continued walking, while he smiled, muttering under his breath:— "Crazy girl."
Suddenly, Dalirina froze in astonishment. In front of her was a plant that moved, as if life itself flowed more strongly through it, opening its small mouth to receive food from its owner's hand. She rushed toward it, eyes wide with shock.
— "Oh my God… how can a flower have a mouth?!"
The man who owned the plant only stared at her, surprised by her excitement. Before he could answer, Vairo stepped in, speaking in a strange language she didn't understand. They exchanged a few words, then Vairo turned back to her:
— "It's one of the rare plants here. They call it Flowmouth. Only the royal traders sell it."
Dalirina's lips parted in a wide, genuine smile:— "It's… wonderful!"
While she was still enchanted by the market's magic, Vairo approached her with a sly grin:— "Do you want to try something fun?"
She nodded with childish eagerness:— "Yes!"
He grabbed her hand and led her through alleys filled with flowers and birds, and she followed without question. Suddenly, she found herself standing in front of a shop covered entirely in plants, from the ground up to the roof.
Vairo gestured at the door:— "Come on, let's go inside."
She followed him, and as soon as she crossed the threshold, her eyes widened with awe. The place was like a miniature forest — the walls, ceiling, and even the tables covered in green plants and rare flowers. She whispered unconsciously, in genuine wonder:— "It's… paradise."
Vairo smiled softly:— "Keep that word in mind, because you'll need it once you taste their food."
It wasn't long before a waiter came, speaking with Vairo in the same strange language. They exchanged a few quick words before the man left. Dalirina turned to him with curiosity:— "Don't they speak our language? What is this tongue?"
Before he could answer, music filled the air. They looked up to see a musical troupe enter gracefully, their instruments playing cheerful tunes, voices rising in song. One of the musicians approached Dalirina with a smile and handed her a small flower. She accepted it with childlike joy, laughing as she watched their performance, enchanted.
Soon after, plates of food were set before her, their shapes and colors like nothing she had ever seen. She raised her brows in surprise, but Vairo encouraged her with a smile:— "Taste it… enjoy it."
She took her first bite — and her eyes opened wide in amazement:— "This is incredible! What is this taste? I can't even tell the ingredients apart… I've never eaten anything like this before!"
Vairo chuckled:— "It's their traditional meal. Only the true natives of this land know its secret recipe."
Dalirina smiled, diving into the food with delight, savoring every bite as if she had discovered a whole new world.
When they finished, they left the shop lighthearted and happy. But their joy didn't last long. From afar, Vairo noticed the soldiers of ice again — their eyes sharp, hands gripping weapons. He whispered tensely:— "They're here again."
He clasped her hand tightly, and they both began to run through the alleys. But suddenly, Dalirina's heart clenched painfully. She clutched her chest, breathing heavily:— "Vairo… I feel like Elinor is not well… I don't know why, but I'm certain!"
He stared at her in shock:— "How can you feel that? I don't understand…"
Her voice shook with fear:— "My heart hurts… and my mind thinks only of her. It's like something inside me is telling me… we have to go to her, now, please!"
He hesitated for a moment, but the raw panic in her eyes made him nod firmly:— "Alright… let's go."
Together, they rushed through the streets, leaving behind the city's lively sounds, heading straight toward the unknown awaiting Elinor…