They reached a tent that stood taller and sturdier than the others, its reinforced frame and guarded entrance marking it as the main operational center. A heavy silence lingered as they stepped inside, the scent of ink and aged parchment mixing with the faint traces of smoke from the battlefield. The walls were lined with maps, battle plan, and scattered notes–each detail revealing the meticulous precision of war. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the central map, its surface covered in carefully marked routes, encampments, and strategic points of interest. Next to it, stacks of journals sat neatly arranged, their worn pages hinting at the weight of the knowledge they held. Atlas padded inside, his scales glinting faintly in the dim torchlight as he moved with silent grace. Violet remained perched on his back, her keen eyes scanning the room with growing curiosity.
Aeron and Drogo followed closely behind, taking in every detail with a sharp, calculating gaze. A sense of urgency crackled between them. This place–this tent–held answers. Aeron broke the silence and said. " If Lyam was here, he must have left something behind. A clue. Anything that points us in the right direction. "
They exchanged determined nods and immediately set to work. Every journal, every scroll, every fragment of a message was a potential key to uncovering his whereabouts. They moved quickly but carefully, overturning crates, shifting loose papers, searching for anything out of place. The air was thick with unspoken tension, each second stretching with the weight of anticipation. Starfania fingers brushed over the edge of a worn leather-bound journal, its cover embossed with an unfamiliar crest. Just as she reached for it, Aeron's voice cut through the silence once more.
" This isn't just any tent, " he murmured, his expression grim as he ran a hand over a marked battle map. " This is where they planned their war strategies. "
Starfania opened the journal that was on the desk, and inside was a hidden hole beneath it. Her breath hitched when she saw a small vial nestled within the hidden space. Aeron moved closer, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"What did you find?" he asked, a hint of urgency in his voice. Starfania carefully lifted the vial, its glass surface reflecting the dim light. It was filled with a shimmering liquid that seemed to pulse softly. She could feel the weight of its significance.
"I don't know," she replied, studying the vial intently. "But it feels important."
She glanced at Aeron, and in that moment, they both understood the gravity of their discovery.
"It could be a potion," he speculated, his brow furrowed in thought. "Or something far more dangerous."
Starfania turned the vial in her hand. The liquid inside swirled mysteriously, almost beckoning her to take a closer look. As she glanced back at the journal, her eyes caught sight of notes scribbled in the margins, detailing strange rituals and powerful spells.
"What if they've been testing this?" she whispered, realizing the implications of what lay before them. Aeron leaned in, reading over her shoulder. "We need to find out what it does. It could change everything."
A rush of adrenaline coursed through her. She felt the stakes rising. This wasn't just a relic of the past; it was a piece of a larger puzzle. They had to uncover the truth behind the vial before it fell into the wrong hands. Before they could dwell further into the implications, Violet's voice rang out, cutting through the tension. " Guys! You need to see this! "
They turned to find her beaming with excitement, holding up a strip of fabric. Both Drogo and Atlas were wagging their tail just excited they helped find this. The deep green cloth shimmered faintly, its texture impossibly smooth yet durable. Starfania leaned closer to the clothing and noticed that the fabric looked like it had some scales on it. As she said aloud, " Now I understand why he is called a lizard man. "
Violet nodded enthusiastically, her smile unwavering. Aeron studied the cloth, his gaze sharp as scanned the surroundings. Starfania turned to Atlas, an idea forming in her mind. Kneeling before her dragon, she placed a hand gently against his warmth scales.
" Atlas, I need your help. " Her voice was quiet, reverent. " Find him. "