A Voice from the Past

“My father told me of this place,” Prince Kaelen says, “Only the mystics and the royal family are allowed to enter.” He turns to them with a rogish grin. “And their guests, of course.”

“So, a secret library,” Tenna says. “I can’t say I’m too surprised. This is very intriguing.”

“I’m not supposed to even talk about it, but if there’s a chance…” He leads the way through the room, to the farthest cosy little nook. “I mean, not that I’m that fond of my sister, but that doesn’t mean I want to send her off to some creepy old prince. So, breaking some rules is well worth it, don’t you agree?”

“Absolutely. You’re doing the right thing. And we appreciate it,” Aster says as Kealen places his palm against a seemingly insignificant part of the wall. A purple glow spreads from his hands, creating lines until a door is visible.

“Huh,” the prince huffs as he pulls it open. “I was half sure the old man had just made it up. But it’s really here.”

Behind the door lies a hidden passage spiraling downward into the foundation of the castle. At its end, it opens up into a large room filled with shelves overflowing with books and scrolls. The secret library of the crown.

It reminds Diane of the mausoleum for Soulbooks back in the Arakiba fortress, and she wonders if ancient souls are resting here too. The air is dry, with the scent of candlewax, dust, and old parchment filling her nose.

“We need more light.” Tenna is practical as ever, and the two young boys take it upon themselves to light every candle and lantern they see.

“Do we know what we’re looking for? And how to find it?” Diane asks, looking around with a sinking feeling in her stomach. It could take months, if not years, to go through everything.

“There should be a system,” Tenna says, letting her fingers drag along a row of weathered, old books. “The Mystics may have their faults, but being unorganized is not one of them.”

“Father said there are two major sections -- one for the Prophecies, one for history -- and that they’re both arranged chron… chrono… chronologically…” Kealen looks proud as he remembers the word, and Tenna gives him an approving nod.

“So, what we’re looking for is probably related to the Great War, so roughly eight hundred years ago.” Aster heads deeper in among the shelves. “And I think we should start with the actual history books, not the prophecies.”

“Facts are always good,” Diane agrees as she follows him.

It doesn’t take them long to find the right shelf. It holds surprisingly little: several book scrolls in beautiful, ornate covers, a few heavy leather-bound books. A box containing thinner volumes and scraps of paper.

Alder grabs the thickest volume and hands it to Aster.

“Here you go, brother. Dig in.” He then picks up a thinner, handwritten notebook for himself. Kealen follows his example, while Tenna predictably goes for a volume as heavy and ancient-looking as the one Aster is holding. Diane picks up an envelope filled with what seems to be random notes and letters, and they all retreat to the sofas to read.

For a long time all that’s heard is the rustling of paper, the occasional sighs, and the shifting of body positions.

“We should’ve brought snacks,” Alder complains, only to get shushed by Tenna and Aster.

“Hang on, this might be something,” Aster says, starting to read out loud. “Here be records of the ancient alliance between the Dragonlords and the Beast Clans, how they tamed the wilds and founded a kingdom in balance with the land. But darker truths were hidden well; truths that speak of the rising rivalry between Fire and Fang, of the breaking of the accords, and the war born of betrayal.”

“Betrayal?” Tenna asks sharply. “We’ve been told there are no surviving records of the reasons that led up to the war. No official chronicles speak of this.”

“Let it not be told of the actions of the foreign house. How to claim the throne, they exploited the rift between clans, made pacts with shadowbound sorcerers, and drove the dragons to the mountain peaks. The Beasts, spared only by swearing fealty, became faithful wardens of the border they once ruled and the Great Wall now upholding it.” Aster gasps, then looks at Tenna. “That can’t be true, can it?”

“My family did that?” Prince Kealen looks shocked, disgusted. “Our public records state that we were invited as a neutral presence, since neither the Arakiba nor the Ryūketsu could agree on which family should be Supreme Ruler. That the Ryūketsu tried to fight for the throne, and were banned, thus leading to the mutually beneficial relationship the crown has with your family now.” He looks at Aster, eyes still wide in shock as he tries to grasp this new information.

“It seems the official and unofficial versions are rather different,” Tenna says, leaning in to read over Aster’s shoulder.

“History is always told by the victors,” Diane points out. “I guess they do whatever they can to make themselves look good in the eyes of future generations.”

“What betrayal are they talking about? Does it say anything more?” Alder is now also hanging over Aster, who sighs and hands him the book.

“Why don’t you find out?”

Alder sighs as he grasps the heavy volume, but starts to enthusiastically leaf through the pages until he finally puts it down with a disappointed look.

“No, it just goes on listing the noble deeds of the new royal family. Our family is mentioned, but nothing more about the dragons or the war.”

“Which is suspicious in itself,” Tenna muses. An event like that should have several history volumes dedicated to it.”

“I still can’t believe my ancestors would do something like that.”

“Perhaps they didn’t, or there were other reasons,” Tenna says, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We cannot know for sure. Not at this point.”

He nods and they all dive back into their texts, the atmosphere somber, heavier.

“Hey, look at this,” Diane says, holding up a couple of yellowed papers. “Letters, it seems. A lot of the ink has faded, but it mentions a betrayal. And the woman who wrote them was a healer, so it fits with what we learned from my captors.”

“Go on.”

Diane clears her throat and reads:

"The mana is no longer pure. It carries whispers now, threads of a will not our own. It is no mere illness of the body; it is a curse, crafted to seek out dragonfire. Why else would it affect only the Ryūketsu? It spreads faster now. Not by air, but through touch—physical as well as mana. I warned them. This plague rides the flames, twisting, mutilating, killing everyone it touches."

She raises her head from the letter. “It sounds awfully similar to what we’re facing, doesn’t it?”

“Too similar to be a coincidence,” Aster nods and Diane continues.

"Raezan, my love, he listened at first. In the quiet hours, before the court stirred, when his arms would fold around me, when our hearts were still one… he believed me. At first. But fear is a crueler, more irresistible lover than I ever could be. I tried to tell him, I tried…

I fear I was meant to be the catalyst. They will blame the Beasts, my family. They will blame me. And Raezan… blinded by grief, he will let them.

Weakened, the dragons will fall. And when the war comes... they will not see the will that pushed for it from the shadows, the warmongering. The dragons are right, so far that this is not an illness. This is spellwork, but not my own. I did not create them. I would never..."

“Raezan?” Aster interrupts her. “Highking of the Mountain? He died in that war.”

“So you know of him?”

Aster nods, but Alder beats him to the story.

“He was to marry a girl from our family. It was all romance and tragedy, so we didn’t pay all that much attention. But it’s one of Alyssa’s favorites, so we’ve heard it many times.” He sighs. “Too many.”

“There are no records of either her or such an arrangement. It’s thought to be nothing more than a story,” Tenna says, looking gravely at Diane. “A work of historical fiction of a troublesome time. If it’s true…”

“A lot of the next part is missing,” Diane frowns, trying to make out the faded letters. “This is the next readable part.”

"If I fall before truth finds air, let this be known: I didn’t betray him. I was betrayed. We all were. And I… I will be unable to save the man I love. If the curse doesn’t claim him, his anger will. The wrath of a dragon king is all consuming. A terrible thing.

I will seek them out, try to stop them, find a cure. But I fear I am too late. The wheels are in motion, the Dragon takes flight.

Highking of the Mountain, my husband to be. Raezan, my beloved, my heart. When all else slips from your mind, know that I’d never hurt you or yours. My soul will burn with love for you til the end of times. I did not betray you. I never could.

Lyssara"

Diane quiets, looks at Aster, tears rising to her eyes.

“This is so sad.”

“Yes.” His face hardens. “Very sad. And if the Ryūketsu recently found out about this, any part of it really, it can explain what’s happening now.”

“They’re seeking revenge.”

“For an injustice that never happened.”