The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 5 Moonlit Peril

  The grand hall of the Order of Phoenix Watch was bathed in the soft, golden light of the afternoon sun filtering through the intricately stained-glass windows. The air was thick with the scent of incense, lending an aura of solemnity to the sacred space. At the far end of the hall, atop a dais, sat the High Priestess, Lady Elara Verdantia, in her resplendent robes of emerald and gold. A tall, bald woman who bore the image of a phoenix tattooed across her eyes, its wings spreading out to her temples. Her piercing blue eyes reflected both the depth of her knowledge and the weight of her responsibilities.

As Lady Elara meditated, seeking guidance from the ancient spirits that protected the Order, a soft but urgent knock echoed through the hall. The grand oak doors opened, and Lady Kaela Arinth stepped in, her indigo cloak shimmering with hints of blue, green, and violet as she moved. Her silver hair was braided into a waterfall down her back, and her emerald-green eyes, normally so composed, were filled with a rare intensity.

"High Priestess Elara," Kaela began, her voice steady but urgent as she approached the dais. "I bring grave news."

Lady Elara opened her eyes, her serene expression giving way to one of concern. "Speak, Lady Kaela. What is it?" she asked, leaning forward slightly.

Kaela took a deep breath, steadying herself. "It is Thorven, the thunderbird. She has fallen in battle."

A hush fell over the grand hall as the weight of Kaela's words settled in the air. The High Priestess closed her eyes momentarily, offering a silent prayer for the fallen phoenix. "Thorven was a magnificent creature," she said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Her loss is a heavy blow, not just to our Order, but to the balance of magic in the world."

Kaela nodded, her eyes reflecting the High Priestess's sorrow. "Our witness reports that in her final moments, she fought valiantly against Nervag, the great black dragon. Despite her strength and her fearsome powers, Thorven gave everything she had to protect Jöithelm, but in the end, she succumbed to her injuries."

Lady Elara's eyes opened, the sorrow in them replaced by a steely resolve. "And what of Sir Taren Vastel? Did he survive the battle?" she inquired, her voice taking on a sharper edge.

Kaela lowered her gaze. "We're not sure, the report made no mention of him," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret.

The High Priestess's expression hardened as she absorbed the news. "We must find her egg. Perhaps she can be raised once again, this time by someone less volatile and more willing to work with us."

Kaela nodded, her face reflecting the urgency of the task. "The witness was unable to retrieve the egg. The battle became too dangerous to stick around for, and when he went to recover the egg, it was gone," she explained, her tone heavy with concern.

Lady Elara's eyes narrowed, her mind racing through the implications. "Gone? Could Nervag have taken it?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of suspicion and fear.

Kaela shook her head. "It's possible, but unlikely. The witness reported that Nervag was severely wounded and more focused on escaping. It's more likely that someone else found it amidst the chaos," she replied, her brows furrowing in thought.

Elara's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing with resolve. "We cannot let such a powerful relic fall into the wrong hands. If someone else has it, they could use it for their own gain or, worse, disrupt the balance we strive to maintain," she said, her voice firm and resolute.

Kaela met the High Priestess's gaze, her own expression mirroring Elara's. "I understand, High Priestess," she replied, her tone steady. "I will do whatever it takes to ensure the egg is safe."