mystery
The journey to the capital was less a journey and more an experience. Lyra, ever practical, had secured passage on one of the colossal, magical birds – creatures larger than any whale you'd ever imagined, their feathers shimmering with iridescent hues that shifted with the light. These weren't ordinary birds; they were magnificent, almost mythical beings, their size dwarfing even the largest sea mammals. The air thrummed with a palpable magic as you boarded, the sheer scale of the bird both awe-inspiring and slightly unnerving. The restriction on other forms of magical transportation was immediately apparent. The High Empire, a jewel of civilization, was seemingly isolated – a fortress ringed by impenetrable jungles and vast, unforgiving seas. Land travel was out of the question, and sea travel, Lyra explained, would take weeks, potentially jeopardizing your timely arrival for the Academy examination. As the giant bird lifted into the air, the world spread out beneath you like a tapestry. The capital city, shimmering in the distance, was a breathtaking sight – a sprawling metropolis that seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The journey itself felt surreal, a floating island carried aloft by a creature of immense power. Your mind, however, remained focused on Segird. The dream had unnerved you; it felt far too real, too significant to ignore. The need to learn more about the prince consumed you. During the flight, you gently broached the subject with Lyra. "Lyra," you began, your voice low, "I need information on Prince Segird. The son of heaven, as they call him. Everything." Lyra's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Prince Segird?
Why him? He's... well, he's the crown prince. Everyone knows his name, but detailed information about the royal family is tightly controlled. Why this sudden interest?" You hesitated, unsure how to explain the bizarre dream without sounding completely mad. "It's... complicated," you finally admitted, "I had a dream. A very vivid dream involving him." Lyra listened patiently, her expression unreadable. When you finished, she remained silent for a moment, then a thoughtful expression crossed her features.
"A dream, you say? Sometimes, the veil between worlds is thin. Dreams can be more than just dreams. But obtaining information about the royal family will be difficult. We might need to rely on our contacts in the capital, or perhaps Elara has some connections." The vastness of the city spread beneath you, a breathtaking and daunting sight, but your focus remained on the enigma of Prince Segird. The journey to the Academy had taken on a new dimension; it was no longer just about saving Authios; it was about unraveling the mystery of a dream, and a prince.