Derlinê turns to the Gatekeepers to give them a description about this Bob.
Derlinê: If they come, do not fail to...
Bob: I'm right here. (Derlinê glances at him) And they too.
Just to be on the safe side, Derlinê inspects Bob's figure with her eyes.
Derlinê: [He does look hefty and similar.] What is her lady's…
Bob: Elvÿndia Wood, daughter of Skyer Wood, granddaughter of…
Derlinê: (Shows a token to the Gatekeepers) Milady, Lady Wood permits them in.
The Gatekeepers give way for the sneering Ruffians.
Gatekeeper 1: (At Bob) I'll be watching you.
A few minutes pass.
Elva, from a Palace Balcony, watches the invited noble elves being inspected for safety measures while the commoners rejoice outside.
Elva: Do you think they will accept me, Braiden?
Braiden: (Head bowed) Yes, my lady. Even if they don't agree, they have no choice. They cannot defy the prophecies.
Elva's eyes fall on a group of elves in red attire.
Elva: Who are they?
Braiden looks at those being inquired about.
Braiden: Those are the Red Enchantresses—Protectors of the Crystal Scrolls from the Red Valley. The ælfen in front is the Red Shaman, the Madame of the Enchantresses. The one behind is her daughter, Princess Raina, the Successor of the Imperial Enchantresses.
NOTE: The leaders of the Red Enchantresses are called either Shamans, Priestesses, or Imperial Enchantress.
Braiden: She is also supposed to be a Dragon's Vessel, but she still hasn't received her Dragon Spirit.
Elva: Oh 😯. That means the Red Priestesses are official subjects to the heirs of the throne?
Braiden: That's right, My Lady.
In understanding, Elva nods. She then spots another group in indigo fabrics.
Elva: So what about them?
Braiden: Oh, they are from the Veil Village, and that's Duke Balin in front. He is the son of the late chief of Veil Village, the younger brother of His Majesty. Additionally, he is the Purple Dragon.
Elva: So he's the cousin of the Imperial Princes. So many titles resting on these people, and yet it's just me 😔.
Her lowly background quiets her. She inhales and then abruptly exclaims—
Elva: Anyways 😄, where are the Imperial Princes?
Braiden: For the younger, he is preparing for the banquet. For the older, I do not know. We hardly see his face.
Elva: Oh.
Derlinê: (Approaches) My Lady. (Curtesies) It is time.
The young maiden takes in a deep breath. Servants and High Elves bow as the Urulòkë's Vessel walks down the red tapestry. Memories of preparation replay in Elva's head 🎞️🎥
---
A Day Ago
Official Tutor: And that is all for the introduction of a Dragon before the nation.
He stood up with his things packed under his crooked arm, ready to go, but Elva urgently stopped him.
Elva: Uh—wait, pardon me to say, Master, but I don't know how to make natural, or even Dragon Fire.
Elflord: (Walks in) Then you can bow with a made one.
Elva: How?
Elflord: We'll hand you an already made fire, and then you can refine it into the shape of a flaming Urulòkë's Gem. Meditate on it and release the energy into the air, forming the Red Dragon's Roar.
Elva: (Supportive) Wow. Such beautiful i… Wait… Meditate? You mean cultivation of my energy with the Dragon Spirit?
Elflord: (Nods).
Elva: Hold on. Normally, when I thought I was just a mage, I reached the Fourth Path, and now connecting with a Dragon Spirit is more than the Ancient Levelled Paths.
Elflord: If you have reached a top level of Chakra Meditation, then connecting with your Dragon should not be hard. I am quite sure.
Elva: (Convinced) Very well, I believe you—for now.
NOTE: Ancient Levelled Paths are the steps a cultivator/mage has to undergo. There are five paths in total, each with its own level of difficulty. A simpler way to cultivate through these Paths is called the Chastity Practice, where one has to give up his/her libido. And our dear Elva is one of such. Anyways…
---
Back to the Present
Elva walks out to the Hung Balcony overlooking the entire Alväin-Central, along with Official Guests behind.
Elva's Gang: Whoo-hoo! That's our girl!
Commoner 1: "Our girl"?
Commoner 2: What do you mean by that?
Ruffian 1: (Acts) You know, she welcomes elves like us to the celebration, so in return, we consider her our sister.
Commoner 1: But still, even if you are so excited, you should address her as "Your Ladyship." She's an Eldar.
Bob: Even if we don't, how is that your concern? You nosy pigs.
Commoner 1: Scumbag!
It seems the elves just want a commotion, and Bob—seeing that the commoner is trying to instigate a squabble—grabs him by his collar. With a raised fist, he utters:
Bob: You—
Another Ruffian: (Eyes fixed on the ceremony) Look! It's time for the Dragon's Roar.
Their divided attention turns to Elva. Meanwhile, Elva tries to meditate with her Dragon Spirit, but it seems difficult. She begins to sweat as she struggles to harness her Dragon power.
Princess Raina begins to feel weary, almost losing her balance, but Duke Balin sustains her by the elbow.
Balin: (Concerned) Raina, are you alright?
Raina: (Nods) Mhm.
The Elflord perceives that Elva is experiencing an obstruction within herself. He attempts to wait a little longer, but seeing Elva's furrowed eyebrows and sweaty face, he mumbles:
Elflord: My child, is all well?
Elva doesn't respond. Her silence makes Aunt Brielle worry. She almost moves closer to Elva, but the Elflord stops her with a gesture of his lowered open hand.
The young maiden's body starts to tremble like a leaf.
Elflord: My child, wake up.
The Elflord takes the initiative to poke Elva on her left shoulder. In response, Elva opens her irises, shimmering red before fading. She releases the fire into the atmosphere, which spirals for some seconds.
The expectations of the elves, awaiting the fire to turn into a Dragon's head, are disappointed as the spiral flame disappears.
Elflord: (Lets out a long sigh)
A Commoner: It happened again.
Another Elf: This also happened during the time of the crown prince of Elfland.
Another Elf: True, but it didn't occur for the Aglad-Lókë. But I guess the introduction of a Dragon's Roar is not meant for all Lókï.
An Elf: I hope so.
---