2025-04-27 09:45:03At the break of dawn, Ethan Lockwood and Celestia Draconyx departed from Avelline, cloaked in moss-hued, guild-issued marsh cloaks woven with enchantments to repel humidity, disease, and spiritual miasma. The trail to the Eastern Marshes wound like a serpent, bordered by twisted reeds and knee-deep brine that slurped greedily at their boots, threatening to drag them down with each sluggish step.
Celestia bent her wings low to maintain balance, every motion deliberate and quiet. Ethan’s cloak dragged through the saline muck, trailing ripples like ghostly fingers brushing the surface.
“Stay close,” Celestia muttered, her nostrils flaring at the stench. The air reeked of rot, decay, and something older—tainted. “This swamp is cursed. Every stone here holds a memory of suffering.”
Eth
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CHAPTER 71: The North
Trumpets echoed in the grand hall as King Aldric proclaimed the new title before assembled courtiers. “For valor beyond measure and service to the crown, we bestow upon Sir Ethan of Carosso the title of Marquis of the Northern Reach,” the King announced. Murmurs swept the hall while Ethan knelt on the marble floor, stunned. Celestia stood at Ethan’s side in formal attire, her face a serene mask that hid her apprehension.Aldric’s attendants brought forth a velvet cushion bearing a silver badge of office. The King himself pinned the badge to Ethan’s cloak. “Rise, Lord Ethan,” he said warmly. “You shall depart at once to oversee the North’s restoration. The borderlands are yours to govern and rebuild in my name.”Ethan rose, bowing deeply. “I am honored, Your Majesty,” he managed, voice stead
CHAPTER 70: Web
A faint afternoon sun slanted through the palace’s solarium windows as Celestia hosted a private gathering of carefully chosen nobles. Over fragrant tea and wine, she moved with practiced grace, her laughter and compliments lighting up the room. To an outside observer, it looked like nothing more than a casual high-born social call. In truth, Celestia was spinning threads of influence as delicately as a spider weaving a web.Seated to her right was Duke Varian, a portly noble with considerable sway over several northern provinces. He boasted of his youthful exploits, and Celestia leaned in with a warm smile when he finished. “My lord Duke, your leadership is exactly what the North will need in the days to come,” she purred.Across from them, Countess Marielle, an elegant widow who funded many mercantile ventures, raised a brow. “Speaking
CHAPTER 69: Black-Haired Noble
Later that evening, Ethan slipped away from the post-ceremony revelry to clear his head. The palace gardens lay quiet under the moonlight, a welcome refuge from the buzzing banquet hall. He wandered along a path of manicured hedges and marble statues, inhaling the scent of night-blooming jasmine. His thoughts swirled with the day’s events—Celestia’s fierce defense of him, the nobles’ whispers, and the unsettling gaze of Lord Kaelthorne.A smooth voice spoke from the shadows near a rose arbor. “A bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” Ethan turned. From behind the arbor, Lord Kaelthorne emerged with a measured stride. In the silvery light, his black hair and midnight-blue coat made him seem a living shadow among the flowers. He inclined his head in greeting. “Sir Ethan.”Ethan’s hand instinctively brushed the pom
CHAPTER 68: Under the Surface
Sunlight streamed through the arched windows of King Aldric’s throne room as Ethan, Celestia, and Nina knelt before the throne. The next day after the Carosso celebration, the King had convened a grand ceremony to honor the slayers of the Frost Dragon. Despite the pomp and splendor—banners bearing the golden lion crest, nobles in shimmering finery—Ethan felt more nervous here than he had facing the dragon.King Aldric stood and raised his hands for silence. "Today, we celebrate true heroes," he announced, his voice carrying through the hall. "Lady Celestia, Sir Ethan, Lady Nina—your courage delivered us from the Frost Dragon's terror. We owe you a debt beyond measure."At a signal, servants stepped forward to drape gilded medals engraved with a dragon around each of their necks. Ethan bowed his head modestly as his medal was placed; Cele
CHAPTER 67: Bard's Ballad
The city of Carosso overflowed with celebration. Colorful banners fluttered from every rooftop, and the scent of spiced ale and roasting meat filled the crisp evening air. In the central square, villagers and nobles alike gathered around a makeshift stage. Tonight, Ethan, Celestia, and Nina were the heroes of Carosso, and a traveling bard was about to immortalize their victory in song.On stage, the bard strummed a lively tune on his lute. His voice rang out clear and bold over the excited crowd. “Hear the tale of the Frost Dragon’s fall,” he sang, pacing dramatically. “Of Ethan the brave, with sword of Fireheart; Of Celestia the wise, shining star in the night; Of Nina the gentle, with courage burning bright!” Each name drew a wave of cheers. The bard wove the story of how the trio defeated the fearsome Frost Dragon that terrorized the North.
CHAPTER 66: Dragonslayer
Ethan rolled aside as a massive spiked tail smashed into the ice where he’d stood a heartbeat before, shattering it into razor-sharp shards. The battle in the Frost Dragon’s lair raged with furious intensity. In the cavern’s gloom, bursts of orange flame and beams of icy blue light clashed violently. The dragon was fully awake now—wounds scorched into its hide by Celestia’s fire and slashes carved by Ethan’s blade only seemed to enrage it further.With a deafening bellow, the beast lunged at Nina, who had buried her hammer in its hindleg moments before. It swung a claw the size of a scythe. Nina barely managed to throw herself backward; even so, the talons caught her breastplate, sending her skidding across the icy floor with a grunt of pain. “Nina!” Ethan shouted, fear spearing through him.A furious roar answered—Celestia. The half-dragon leapt between Nina a
