Vedronia is as beautiful as it sounds. Vedronia used to be known for being powerful, thanks to the magic skills of the people, but as the time flew, the magic lost its power for an unspecified reason and now only few people remain in Vedronia that know how to use magic. Vedronia never bowed to any king or Queen except for one, Queen Barbara.

Before the Queen was murdered, all the other four kingdoms in the continent Aribon bowed to Queen Barbara and became one under her reign, after her demise, all the kingdoms separated and became independent again as they refused to bow to anyone but Queen Barbara and her heir.

Shira, Toni and Jody rode their horses to Vedronia and soon reached the gates of Vedronia.

Behind two merchants and horses, They waited impatiently while Bruno barked.
The huge gates and wide walls which didn't allow anyone to see the city from behind the gates, left everyone curious and impatient to see what those walls were hiding.
The gates were guarded by 5 men wearing silver armor with light blue cloaks which had golden sides.
They were asking and checking on everyone.
"Why are they guarding the gate!? Ugh, we've been waiting since centuries!" Jody exaggerated.

"Maybe to stop intruders and uninvited danger from stepping in?" Shira mocked Jody.

"A new life, a new start" Toni smiled while looking at Shira.

"Yes, my friends. I'm so grateful to have been able to embark our new journey" Shira said while riding her horse in front as the queue started to move.

"And what might bring you to the The Great City of Vedronia? The guard stood tall and asked while examining Shira and her friends.

"We come looking for work here, Sire. We hear they are paying better than what is in our City." Shira responded.

"And what city that might be?" The Guard squinted his eyes.

"Empire's Bay" Toni interrupted.

"Hmm, and is that boy travelling with you and the other girl as well?" The guard enquired Shira while pointing at Jody.
"Yes" Jody replied instead.

"And that... Little creature of yours?" The guard asked while pointing at Bruno.
"The dog is with us too." Shira replied.

The guard nodded and proceeded to check their bags and noticed Shira's  sword tied to her waist and bursted out with laughter. " Hahaha, do you even know how to use a sword?"

"No, Sire.. This is my family sword, I planned to sell it after my parents died. " Shira said while clenching her fists behind her back and a forced smile.
"Okay well, four coppers" The Guard said while holding out his hand.

"Four coppers?!? For what?!" Shira exclaimed.

"For entering the city, stupid girl" The guard replied.

"But Sire, you charged the others one copper." Shira objected.

"Well, one copper per person. That's why." The guard replied.

"But we're three people!" Shira objected yet again.

"One extra for that strange looking dog of yours." The guard said and again held out his hand "Four coppers"

"Okay.." Shira said while dropping four coppers coins in his hand.

"Welcome to Vedronia" The guard stepped away and made way for them to enter.
Shira, Toni and Jody moved forward on their horses and Bruno followed them while barking.
"What..." Toni whispered under her breath.

Vedronia looked like any other normal city would and people dressed the same as that of another city would.
"Vedronia, the birthplace of magic" Shira smiled.

"But it looks like the other cities!" Toni cried.

"The magic lost it's power, now only few remain in Vedronia that know how to use magic and this people serve under the King."

"What? Really?" Jody questioned.

"How dim witted can you both be?' Shira frowned.

"Well we know about the history but we still hoped that the city would look a bit different!" Toni explained.

"Oh you both will drive me crazy one day!" Shira scoffed.

Besides magic, Vedronia was also famous for the foresight that had been gifted to chosen people.
Prophecies and seeing the past and future was very prominent as people were always eager to know things.

Shira, Toni and Jody left their horses in a stable and went ahead to explore the market just when Toni bumped into a strange looking woman.

"Oh I apologise" Toni said while trying to move away from the woman.

"Ah and where would a lovely girl like yourself would be off to?" The woman smiled through her crooked teeth as she reached out for Toni's hand.

"Wait what... Leave my hand" Toni shouted as the woman let go of her hand.

"Sorry, young girl, I didn't mean no harm to you" The woman said while scratching her hair which reached till her ears.

"Fine, it's okay." Toni scoffed as Shira and Jody stared in Surprise.

"Wait, wait, young girl, young girl!" The woman shouted as Toni, Shira and Jody started walking away.

They turned around "do you like prophecies and seeing past and future, sweet girl? I'm gifted with the foresight, yes. I can show you things you can't imagine your wildest dreams." The woman grinned.

"Umm, no thanks" Toni said just as Shira grabbed Toni's hand and went ahead "Show me my future and past. I'll pay you in coppers"

"Oh you're a pretty one, sure, pretty girl, follow me" the lady smiled through her crooked teeth yet again.

They followed the lady to a very small shop inside the market. The shopwas covered with torn curtains and had a table and 3 seats inside.

The lady went ahead and sat on the other side of the table while Shira sat in front of her. Toni and Jody chose to stand.

"That's one fine sword, where'd you get it, eh, pretty girl?" The last asked as she stared at the sword tied around Shira's waist.

"Not that it's any of your business, come on now tell me how I was born and who are my parents."

"Your hand, please, pretty girl"

Shira let out her hand and the lady grabbed it forcefully while Shira had to lean.

"Let's see what happened on the day of your birth... Uh ah oh my god!" The lady screamed as Shira took back her hand in shock.

"What.. what is it that you see?" Shira asked.

"You were there.... The day mankind defied all limits.. the day mankind committed a crime unimaginable...
You're her daughter...."

"What in world are you talking about?" Shira shouted.

"Don't doubt me, pretty girl. Or should I say, my princess? You're no ordinary girl, Shira. You're destined to fulfill a famous prophecy that all kingdom have longed to see."

"Princess? And how do you know my name?" Shira asked in shock.

"In red and golden armor she shall walk.. with her long hair flowing in the air like wind, her shiny sword shall strike the great enemy and the dawn shall be her win.." the lady spoke aloud.

"What?" Shira said.

"You, Shira, are the daughter of the greatest ruler that ever lived, you're her heir and you're the Queen. You're Queen Barbara's second and only living child." The lady spoke with wide eyes.

"It can't be... She died seventeen years ago and so did her children.." Shira spoke.

"You were born seventeen years ago.. if it weren't for people with strong loathe and jealousy against your mother.. you would've been a royal." The lady said.

"An- and what about my future? Shira asked.

"Dark.. really dark but this darkness shall pass as you bring the dawn...
You were right to leave Murray.. this is the embarkment of your journey" the lady spoke.

"You know I don't believe anything you just said, right?" Shira smirked.

"You don't believe me now but you will later..." The lady winked.

"No coppers for a liar.." Shira frowned at the comment lady made while Toni and Jody started forcing Shira out of the small shop.

"Farewell.. Shira Garryngton..until we meet again.." the lady whispered to herself as she watched the trio move out.

"She's a fool. My parents dumped me at Mr.Murray's doorstep when they couldn't pay their own damn loans!" Shira screamed.

"Shira.. what if all that she said was true? What if you really are the princess who brings the dawn?" Toni said.

"But I'm not!" Shira screamed yet again.

"Okay. Fine let's not discuss it anymore.. let's go and have lunch.." Jody said while raising his hands.

"Fine.." Shira said.

Oh my god, guys I'm so sorry for such a delay. But I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Love always xx
Disha xx