A roar echoed through the sky as Kaira, the White Dragon, appeared, making he rway towards the castle of Draven.
The people of the kingdom shouted looked up, "It's the great white dragon! The Patriarch has returned!"
Horses slowly walked in, and curious whispers spread. Among the elite guards of Draven kingdom, the Patriarch moved steadily, waving to those who greeted him as he made his way into the castle.
Kaira landed slowly in the courtyard of castle Draven. The elders of the house were already standing there, bowing deeply.
"The elders of House Draven greet the Familiar of the First Patriarch," one intoned.
Kaira looked down at them, but she did not pause. She walked past them.
Seraphiel entered with his elite guards. His eyes caught Kaira moving among the courtyard, and the elders waiting with deference. He walked toward them steadily.
"What brings the elders of Draven together in the courtyard?" he asked, voice steady.
"Greetings, Lord Seraphiel," replied the elder of House Thalos. "We trust your journey has met with success."
"Yes, Elder Thalos," Seraphiel replied. "Let us not linger here. Head inside; I shall join you shortly."
"Lord Raphiel," said the elder of House Dravenir, stroking his beard, "Kaira seems… displeased, from what I can see."
"You know she still does not fully listen to me," Seraphiel said, his eyes following the dragon. "I was not the one she first chose as Patriarch, after all."
"It may be so, Lord Seraphiel," Elder Elyndor said, "but your brother's strength was never meant to rule alone. He understood that. Which is why he entrusted the kingdom to you."
He inclined his head slightly.
"Strength can conquer. Judgment is what preserves."
Seraphiel's lips curved in a brief smile. "You flatter me, Elder Elyndor."
The elders proceeded inside. Seraphiel paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on Kaira, before finally turning to enter the castle himself.
"They praise me too much, don't they, Lucas?"
"Elder Elyndor likely hopes you grant his son a place in the Black Squad," Lucas replied.
"The Black Squad is for the strongest alone. If he wishes to join, let him earn it by his own strength, not by his name," Seraphiel said, voice cold and firm.
Seraphiel entered the castle. Elarys his wife, stood in the corridor to greet him.
Vlad, his youngest son, ran towards him excitedly.
"Father, welcome back!" he called.
Seraphiel looked down, head held high.
"Move."
Vlad froze. He lowered his head slowly, holding back tears.
Seraphiel advanced, Lucas stepped back, patting Vlad's head in quiet comfort.
"Greetings, Father," Cassian and Maelis said in unison.
"Has Lysera not returned?" Seraphiel asked.
"No, Father. Elder sister remains on her patronage," Cassian replied.
Vlad watched them from a distance.
"Let's eat, then."
His wife, Elarys, was already waiting inside.
"Greetings to the matriarch," Lucas said.
"Greetings, Lucas," Elarys replied.
Seraphiel sat, and they continued their conversation over the meal.
Cassian spoke of his latest achievements, while Maelis shared how she had learned advanced magic.
Vlad remained silent, thinking to himself, If I join the Black Squad, maybe Father will speak to me too.
The door opened with a sharp creak as Seraphiel's older brother entered.
"Raphiel, we need to talk." Aldric said.
"The elders are waiting for me in the courtroom, we'll talk later" Seraphiel replied.
Aldric stepped closer. "You'll meet me in the courtyard after you finished eating."
Seraphiel continued his meal without any reply.
"Uncle, will you not eat with us?" Vlad asked.
"Sorry, Vlad. I have something important to do. I'll join you for dinner, I promise," Aldric replied.
"Sucking up to Uncle as always," Cassian muttered, and Maelis giggled in agreement.
Aldric walked out first. Seraphiel finished his meal and followed, Lucas at his side.
"Lucas, you should stay here," Seraphiel said.
Seraphiel entered the courtyard. Aldric was waiting, Kaira standing beside him.
"What is it, Aldric?" Seraphiel asked.
"It's about Valeren," Aldric replied.
"Did the black Squad report any movements?" Seraphiel asked.
"Erik went alone this time. Valeren has made a pact with the fire dragon Kaiser."
"So they are gathering power," Seraphiel said, frowning.
Aldric and Seraphiel stood side by side. Kaira walked up to Aldric and lowered her head; he patted her gently.
"Kaira is quite affectionate with you, isn't she, brother?" Seraphiel remarked.
"Everyone treats Kaira as Aurelion Dravenir, the First Patriarch's Familiar," Aldric said. "But Aurelion never made a pact with her. She stayed with the family to protect the descendants of her dear friend. Her loyalty is love, not obligation."
"Not knowing that everyone tries to control her, she will never bow to power. I suggest you stop wasting your time trying, brother," Aldric added.
Seraphiel sighed. "I shall address this matter to the elders then."
"No!, not now. I do not fully trust the elders," Aldric warned.
"Do you realize what you are suggesting?" Seraphiel said quietly.
Does anyone among the Five Families dare to oppose Aldric Dravenir?
"Do nothing unnecessary, brother," Seraphiel said, sighing.
"Worry about yourself," Aldric replied.
Seraphiel nodded and began walking toward the courtroom.
"Raphiel," Aldric called after him, "you should be a little nicer to Vlad."
"You know the situation, Aldric," Seraphiel replied without looking back.
He opened the courtroom doors. The elders were already discussing something.
"Forgive me for being late?" he said.
"No, my lord," the elders replied.
"Then let us speak."
The doors shut.
After Seraphiel left, Aldric wandered through the quiet corridors, holding a book in his hand. The castle gardens stretched out before him, There, Vlad was sitting alone on a stone bench.
"Vlad, what are you doing sitting alone?" Aldric asked as he approached.
Vlad slowly turned. "Uncle Aldric…"
Cuts streaked his face.
Aldric crouched in front of him, examining the wounds.
"What happened with your face?"
"It's nothing… I just fell down the stairs," Vlad said.
Aldric knew he was lying.
"Let me heal you. Look straight at me."
"Thank you, Uncle," Vlad whispered.
"I'll teach you some healing magic. Your mana is low, so you won't be able to fully close the wounds yet, but it'll come in handy," Aldric said.
Vlad smiled faintly. "I'll join the Black Squad and get stronger, so you won't have to worry about me all the time uncle."
Aldric laughed. "Oh! Is that so? Then I'll look forward to giving you missions," he said, patting Vlad's head.
Aldric looked at the book in his hand.
"Here. Take this book. It's about the First Patriarch's journey."
"No… I can't take it. It's yours. If I take it, what will you read?" Vlad said kindly, hesitating.
"It's a gift from me. Take it," Aldric insisted.
"I will cherish it, then," Vlad said, grinning, and ran off laughing.
Aldric waved after him, muttering to himself,
"If only you weren't of Dravenir blood… you might have been happier."
Aldric looked up at the sky. The night was settling in.
"Come out." he said calmly.
"I can't hide my presence from you, can I?" Erik stepped out from behind a tree.
"Did you speak with the Patriarch?" Erik asked.
"Yes."
"Then the mission?"
"Put it on hold for now."
"As you command, Lord Aldric."
Aldric paused. "Erik… do you know what happened to Vlad?"
"You mean his wounds?"
"Yes."
"Young Master Vlad was beaten by Cassian's followers at the training grounds this evening."
"So he's been going there," Aldric muttered.
"Yes, I've been watching him. Young Master Vlad has remarkable stamina, but his mana is still weak for a Dravenir.
Aldric let out a sigh. "You may return to the quarters."
Erik vanished into the darkness without a sound.
Night fully settled in.
Vlad ran through the corridors, heading toward his mother's room.
He stopped outside hesitating before knocking.
"Come in," Elarys said.
Vlad entered, holding the book close to his chest.
"Mother… are you busy?"
Elarys looked up from her writing. "Never for you."
Vlad stepped closer and carefully placed the book on her table.
"Uncle gave me this. He said it's about the First Patriarch."
Elarys's gaze softened as she picked it up.
"Aurelion Dravenir," she said. "Your uncle always favored this story."
"Will you… read it to me?" Vlad asked quietly.
Elarys smiled and told him to sit beside her. Vlad climbed onto the seat, leaning slightly toward her.
She opened the book and began to read. Her voice calm and steady.
Vlad listened carefully.
Elarys gently brushed his hair back.
"Mother," Vlad asked softly, "will i become strong too like the First Patriarch?"
Elarys looked at him and smiled. She rested a hand on his head.
"Yes, my dear," she said quietly.
She continued reading, until Vlad's grip on the book loosened.
Elarys closed the book and rested a hand on his head.
"Sleep well, son" she whispered.
"Will you be standing outside all night?" Elarys asked softly.
Seraphiel entered the room. His gaze fell on Vlad, asleep on his mother's lap. Seraphiel reached out gently brushing Vlad's hair back.
"He probably hate me, doesn't he?" Seraphiel asked.
Elarys shook her head. "Vlad wouldn't hate anyone. He's so kind"
"I don't want to see him getting hurt," Seraphiel said lowering his eyes.
Elarys pulled him into a quiet embrace.
"Everything is going to be okay."
The morning light shined through the curtains.
Vlad stirred, eyes slowly opening. For a moment he looked around where he was.
Mother's room…
He got up slowly, careful not to wake her up, and slipped out the door.
The castle was already awake and busy. Servants moved through the halls steadily, the distant clashing echoed from the training grounds could be heard.
Vlad tightened his grip and headed towards the training ground.
The training ground was nearly empty at this hour.
Vlad stood alone, closing his eyes. He placed one hand over his chest and focused his breathing slowly.
Mana stirred—weak and uneven.
He tried to gather it again and again.
From the balcony of the training ground Erik watched.
The boy's control was poor. His output was small.
But he didn't stop.
Erik folded his arms, looking down at vlad.
"He's training again," he whispered.
Just as Erik turned to leave, he heard footsteps approaching the training grounds.
Cassian stepped in along with Riven Thalos and Maeric Elyndor behind him.
They stopped when they noticed Vlad sitting alone at the edge of thefield, eyes closed while trying to gather his mana.
"Look who is training again," Cassian said mockingly
Riven snorted. "He really doesn't know his place, doesn't he?."
Maeric laughed openly.
Vlad didn't respond to them. His breathing remained steady and shoulders tense as he tried to force the thin stream of mana to move the way as he wanted.
Cassian's smile faded.
He slightly tilted his head . Riven and Maeric moved at once.
A kick slammed into Vlad's back.
Vlad was sent flying, his body rolled across the dirt. Dust clung to his clothes.
Laughter erupted.
"Look at him," Riven said.
"Pathetic," Maeric added.
They closed in, voices piling on, mocking and cruel.
Erik jumps into the ground.
"Attacking someone from behind is a bit cowardly young master." he said calmly.
They stopped laughing.
Cassian crouched in front of Vlad and leaned close and whispered.
"Stop embarrassing yourself, no matter how much you train, nothing is going to change when your mana is so weak."
Vlad looked at him.
"But mother said… I can also become strong."
Cassian burst out laughing.
"My apologies," he said casually to Erik.
He turned away.
"Let's go," Cassian said.
Riven and Maeric followed him out.
Vlad remained on the ground.
"You should leave as well, Young Master Vlad," Erik said after a moment.
Vlad slowly stood up, brushing dirt off from his clothes.
"Thank you, Captain Erik," he said.
"I'll go back after i finished training."
Erik already knew insisting would change nothing.
He turned and walked away.
Vlad stood still for a moment and stared up at the sky before he sat down again and resumed training.
From the shadows, Riven lingered.
Once Erik disappeared, Riven slipped away.
"Is the captain gone?" Cassian asked.
"Yes," Riven replied. "Vlad's still there. Training alone."
A smirk formed on cassian's face.
"Good. Let's go teach him a lesson," he said. "A lesson he won't forget."