Later that afternoon in a high tower, Queen Liara-Star looked up from the vision bowl and paced the room with a furrowed brow. Her hair was piled high on her head from the scorching heat. “I fear the Vergai have regrouped in the west while we journeyed east to inspect the shield. My vision shows Vergai lurking near the Western Outpost. Pockets of resistance must be arising that we had thought extinguished.”
She looked into the bowl once more and saw a different vision, this time of flames rising from Diagro villages.
Celdar-Moon looked over her shoulder and scowled. “That is not caused by the lizard-men, but the dragons who betrayed us upon the eve of our defeat. The West Lands have regrettably returned to the lawlessness of eons past. Dragons and men will ne’er learn from the mistakes of old. Cast your eyes away from them, Liara, for their petty trials are not worthy of your attention.”
“Celdar-Moon, I respect your opinion, but my visions do not lie. We have been entrusted to protect our allies and innocent creatures such as halflings who know naught of such evils. Our mission to evaluate the shield is imperative, but so are the lives of the West Lands. Let you or I make haste to assist, while the remainder of the party continues here.”
“Harrumph…as you command my Queen, although I believe you are over-reacting.”
Liara-Star placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Let us not quarrel, dear brother. Do you wish to return or shall I? Young Aram Grey will arrive shortly to take one of us to the west.”
The tempestuous prince arched a ginger eyebrow, but then nodded in agreement. “I am the guardian of the west and it is my duty to protect the stubborn fools who abide there. I will go.”
A great flapping of wings was heard outside the castle.
The elves leapt down the stairs with graceful movements.