The sunrise washed Ostara's southeastern fields in gold as two horses cut across them in a steady rhythm.
The white mare moved like silk; on her back sat Queen Elenora, perfectly balanced, her silver hair catching the light.
Beside her trotted a sturdy brown stallion, older but proud, snorting happily with each step. King Hadrian rode him with a relaxed posture and a fond smile.
Elenora glanced at the stallion and sighed with a teasing sweetness.
"You're still riding the old thing? Let him rest already."
Hadrian ran his palm along the horse's neck.
"It's been so long since me and Mily galloped together. Let us enjoy ourselves."
The mare let out a short, amused neigh—as if agreeing.
Elenora rolled her eyes but chuckled, shaking her head.
"Fine, fine… but if he collapses, I'm not carrying you back."
Hadrian laughed.
They rode in silence for a bit, wind brushing through the flowers, the distant trees swaying.
Elenora eventually asked, softer now,
"Do you think they'll show up?"
Hadrian exhaled slowly. "Hopefully."
Time passed until they reached the garden—a sweeping open space surrounded by flowers, tall shrubs, and willow trees dancing in the morning breeze.
In the center stood a gazebo made of pale white wood, its roof carved with swirling patterns of vines and stars.
A few horses were already tied near the entrance.
Hadrian leaned forward, eyebrows lifting.
"Ah—Dravok and Herga are here. And maybe… that's Ryna and Herry too."
They dismounted, tying their horses.
The horses from Korraval stood out immediately—stocky, powerful, dark-coated beasts with tusk-shaped saddles.
Very different from Ostara's slender, elegant breeds.
As they stepped into the garden, the air seemed to hush, peaceful and clean.
Dravok, still massive even while sitting on the gazebo bench, lifted his chin.
"Hadrian. Good morning, brother."
Hadrian clasped his forearm and bumped shoulders with him like old comrades.
"Dravok."
Herry waved from his seat.
"So? What's with the sudden message?"
Hadrian casually sat beside Elenora.
"A nice meeting between rulers. We all survived one war already—so naturally we should talk about avoiding another."
Herry nodded thoughtfully.
"Fair."
Queen Ryna smiled softly, admiring the scenery.
"This garden is lovely. Truly."
Elenora brightened a little.
"Thank you… I designed it myself. Only had a handful of workers help put it together."
Ryna laughed. "You did splendid. I'm almost jealous."
Before more could be said, the sound of hoofsteps approached.
Through the flower-gate stepped King Koslas, tall and graceful, crimson cloak trailing behind him.
Beside him walked Altrath, his general, dressed in ceremonial armor.
Herry lifted a hand.
"Koslas! Finally."
Koslas offered a gentle nod, his gold eyes scanning the garden.
"Good morning. And… what a beautiful place this is. Truly."
As he stepped into the gazebo, the atmosphere subtly shifted, quieter, calmer.
He turned toward Hadrian.
"What is this meeting about?"
Hadrian raised a hand.
"We'll wait for the others first."
Koslas hummed and took a seat between Dravok and Vorga.
Altrath stood at his shoulder like a silent sentinel.
A soft gust of cold air passed; shadows flickered.
Suddenly two figures appeared beside Hadrian.
Queen Miruna and King Vladislav.
Hadrian jolted so hard he nearly fell off the bench.
"Gods—! I hate how you two always appear out of nowhere."
Miruna just laughed, amused, lifting a delicate bottle of deep red wine.
"Well, just pay more attention."
Vladislav grinned.
"by the way the dragonkin and ice imps won't show. They're busy."
"Of course they are…" Hadrian muttered.
Miruna placed the wine bottle and a few silver cups in the middle of the gazebo table
"For later," she said casually.
The group settled.
A circle of rulers, old friends, old rivals, war survivors.
For a moment, nobody talked—just the sound of wind brushing through leaves.
Herry leaned back.
"So, Koslas… you look tired. Everything all right in Aetherwyn?"
Koslas sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"My daughter," he said.
Everyone perked up.
Altrath smirked slightly, muttering,
"Here we go."
Koslas glared at him briefly, then continued.
"She enlisted in the military."
Dravok blinked.
"Liora? Little Liora? Who used to always go flower picking?"
"She's not tiny anymore… she's taller than half my guards." Koslas slumped back. "I tried to tell her she could train at home, but no. Now she doesn't want to spend time with her father. 'Let me grow,' she says."
He looked genuinely heartbroken.
Elenora smiled sympathetically.
"That's what daughters do. They grow and run off."
Hadrian chimed in, "Mine threw a tantrum when I tried to cut her training time. Nearly broke my nose."
Koslas chuckled sadly.
"Thats fatherhood"
Everyone laughed.
Herry raised a brow.
"You think that's bad? My son challenged me to a duel for the throne."
Hadrian snapped his head toward him.
"He WHAT?"
Herry shrugged.
"He lost. Poor idiot. Could've just waited—he would've become king anyway. But since he challenged officially and lost, he can't inherit. Now his little sister is heir."
Even Dravok burst out laughing.
Ryna sighed. "He's a scholar now. Spends his days reading and pretending he didn't try to beat his father in a sword fight."
More laughter.
Miruna swirled the wine in the bottle slowly, not opening it yet.
"Children," she said softly, "are unpredictable."
Vladislav elbowed her.
"And ours scare half the kingdom."
"They're passionate," she corrected.
"Terrifying," he corrected back.
The group chuckled again.
Koslas looked around with a tired but warm expression.
"It's been a long time since I sat with all of you like this."
Hadrian nodded.
"Too long."
For a while they talked about everything
old battles
children growing up
who got injured where
funny stories from patrol
Dravok's horse kicking a noble
koslas and altrath getting chased by a elder etherglide
Elenora planting flowers that refused to grow
Miruna scaring servants accidentally
Ryna's daughter stealing the royal crown for games
The garden felt alive with laughter and soft memories.
Eventually, Hadrian sat up straighter.
The light mood slowly quieted as everyone sensed the shift.
"Alright," he said. "It's time."
The wind stilled.
The gazebo felt smaller suddenly.
Hadrian locked eyes with each ruler.
"Let's talk about why I called you all here."