Valtava: Dragon Sword

Chapter 10

"Welcome to Elonia!" Uncle Ralph cheered as their carriage passed through a pair of magnificently carved metal gates. Tony and Stephen peered outside the carriage, staring in awe at the livelihood of the city. Everyone was dressed in gorgeously designed outfits, their hair well groomed and styled and their manner of walking reflecting their upper class status. The streets were clean and tidy, with countless vendors arranged in rows on either side of the cobblestone road. Some vendors sold aromatizing foods that they had never seen while others were lined with jewels that sparkled in the sun. Tony could not imagine living in such an affluent environment, and Stephen on the other hand reminisced his childhood days when he dwelled with his family in Essear.

Ada pointed at their dumbfounded faces and laughed, "Look at you two, you're like kids just seeing the world for the first time!"

Stephen turned to her and excitedly said, "You've got to take us to explore this place! It looks like so much fun here!"

They soon arrived at Ada's mansion, which sat atop a looming hill close to the coast of the city. They got off the carriage, and Uncle Ralph took them past a few guards through the large double doors of the mansion. Uncle Ralph instructed a servant to take Tony and Stephen to a guest room while he went to speak to Ada's mother.

Tony and Stephen filled their empty stomachs with grapes while they waited. After a few minutes, the servant returned to them and said, "Madam Colipan welcomes you. Please come with me." The servant then led them down a hallway until they reached a large room in the center of the mansion. Tony and Stephen entered and saw a woman sitting atop an elaborately sculpted chair at the back of the room, dressed in a deep purple robe lined with black fur with her hair meticulously wound up in a bun. Her eyes were shaded with a dark indigo colour, and although she was in her forties, she emitted a beauty that reflected a mysterious, dominant aura.

Ada was also in the room, sitting to the side. As the two young men entered the room, Ada jumped up to them and said, "This is my mother, go on and greet her!"

Tony and Stephen bent down and bowed their heads respectfully. "Madam Colipan."

"No need to be polite. Ralph has already introduced me to you. Please rise and take a seat," she said in an eloquent voice.

They both sat down on the chairs opposite to Ada, and a servant poured a cup of tea for them. Tony spoke, "Madam Colipan, thank you for your hospitality. I'm sure Uncle Ralph has already told you of my background. I am seeking your assistance in traveling back to Valtava."

"Yes, I've heard that you have already gained recognition as the Dragon Master. It's quite my honour to meet a young and nobel man like you, and I would be more than willing to help you return to your home. It's the least I can do to repay your kindness to my daughter and the rest of Elonia."

Tony smiled humbly. "That would be much appreciated. When do you expect I can take off?"

Madam Colipan thought for a moment and responded, "Unfortunately, we have stopped trading for many years now due events happening in Valtava. The Hollow Men have been creating chaos and it is no longer safe for us to be sending our people there. I would be happy to give you a ship there, but all our ships need to undergo restoration as they have not been used for some time now."

Tony felt his chest sink as he learned the news. "The Hollow Men are invading the other lands...?"

"Yes, ever since their leader left, Lord Navarro has gone mad and began sending troops to the rest of Valtava. We did not want to engage in any conflict with them so have stopped all relations with Valtava for the time being," Madam Colipan explained.

Stephen, who understood the thoughts going on in Tony's mind, whispered to him, "Don't worry Tony, as soon as you return to the Northern Lands, you'll be able to pull back the troops. We can only be patient for now."

Tony nodded and gulped. He asked, "How long do you think it will take for the ships to be back in condition?"

"It might take several days, but I will do my best to ensure it gets done in a timely manner. You can stay in our guest room for now. I'm sure you'd like some time to rest as well after having traveled a long way."

"Thank you very much, Madam Colipan!"

"Achoo!" The high-pitched sound broke their conversation, and they all turned to Ada, who was trying to control herself. She was shivering and drawing her arms close to her chest, and she let out another sneeze.

"Ada, are you ok? You don't look too well," her mother noted.

"I..I think I may have caught a c-c-cold," she said through her cluttering teeth. "I think I just need some rest and I'll be alright."

Madam Colipan gestured to a servant and said, "Quick, bring her to her room and boil her some hot water."

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The sky was dark now, and the sound of crickets rang from outside the window. Tony and Stephen saw that there were clean tunics for them to switch into, and they made themselves comfortable in their room.

"Wow, I haven't slept on such a soft bed in a long time!" Stephen remarked, jumping onto the mattress.

Tony chuckled and sat down next to him. "We can finally have a good night's sleep." He then looked down and let out a deep sigh. "I'm a bit worried about Ada though. She looked so pale earlier today. I wonder if it's from her getting drenched in the rain."

Stephen noticed Tony's sullen expression, chuckled, and nudged him by the arm. "You like Ada, don't you?"

Tony turned to look at Stephen with wide eyes. He didn't utter a word, but with the amount of time the two of them spent together as brothers, there seemed to be nothing he could hide.

Knowing the answer, Stephen continued, "So when are you going to confess to her?" He leaned in with excitement and whispered, "If you're too shy, I can help you!"

Tony immediately shook his head. "Don't talk nonsense. Even if I do like her, I couldn't be a pair with her anyways."

"Why not?"

"Before I left the Cavern of Reminiscence, I promised my stepfather that I would marry his daughter. Although I don't know her whereabouts, I can't take someone else without having looked for her first."

Stephen's eyes sparked in curiosity. "Did your stepfather give you any clues as to where she might be?"

"Actually, we are quite clueless. But she separated from her father at a very young age. You've roamed Dragmone for many years, do you think you've ever encountered her in your travels?"

"Ahhh, I really can't think of anyone off the top of my head. But don't worry, we have some time to explore Elonia before you leave. We can try looking for her!"

Tony nodded, feeling a small flame of hope.