Of Scrolls and Sardines

As the Sea Royals began preparations for their closed council with the Arc Seer, the other realms were already in motion and scrambling to send urgent messages to the Kingdom of Uverra. The phenomenon during the Trial hadn't gone unnoticed.

And no one wanted to be blamed for something that clearly hadn't started in their domain.

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

Sylvaria – Forest Realm

In the Kingdom of Sylvaria, Queen Calithra of the elves stood inside the communication hall, reviewing the scroll one last time. It was formal, sealed with her crest, an official inquiry addressed to the Sea Court.

"We've already confirmed it wasn't the land realm," she said, her voice sharp and calm. "This came from the sea."

She stamped the scroll with an ancient mark carved from bark, green in colour and glowing.

Forest realms had long used their own channels for sea communication. This time was no different. She nodded to a nearby guard, who entered with a large, sharp-eyed hawk perched on his shoulder.

"Casper," the Queen greeted.

The hawk tilted his head with a short chirp.

The scroll had been reinforced with water-resistant enchantments to protect it from ocean currents. She handed it over carefully, and the hawk took it in one claw while the guard secured a small pouch to its other leg.

"Straight to the usual shore," Calithra instructed. "The sea lion will handle the rest."

Casper screeched once, then launched from the window, wings cutting through the forest canopy with practised ease. He soared over tree lines and hill ridges, gliding until the forest gave way to open coast.

He circled once, then descended, landing on a flat stone near the shoreline.

Waves. Wind but no sign of Wibble.

Casper ruffled his feathers. He let out a sharp cry but the waters remained still. Irritated, he reached into the pouch strapped to his leg and pulled out a dried fish snack, dropping it into the tide three times before lining a few pieces on the sand.

A few seconds passed.

Then something stirred in the surf.

A round, whiskered snout broke through the shallows and gave a big smile.

"…That for me?" Wibble asked, eyes narrowing at the snack lineup.

"You never come out unless I bait you," Casper replied, nudging the scroll towards him.

"I like forest fish," Wibble said unapologetically. "You lot visit after a long time."

"This is from the Queen," the hawk reminded. "Don't lose it like last time."

Wibble huffed but accepted the scroll, sliding it into his vault-shell and tucking it into a protected pouch near his flipper. His tone shifted, a little more serious.

"Got it. I'll take it straight to the sea court."

He paused, then gave Casper a small grin. "Tell your Queen we'll reply soon. And… thanks for the snack."

Casper dipped his head in a half-bow, wings spreading as he launched into the sky, already gliding back towards the forest.

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

Norvainth — Realm of Land and Flame 

At the heart of the kingdom's capital, stood the Temple of the Ember Crown, not adorned with statues or gold, but with the living symbol of its god:

a blue flame, shaped like a radiant sun, suspended within a ring of blackened bronze.

It was called the First Flame, and it had burned for centuries, said to be lit by Velkar, god of fire and humans, of strength, and the deep roots of land.

The people didn't carve his face. They only worshipped the flame, believing it held his gaze, his will, and his judgement.

Only the servants of the divine were allowed near it, just those chosen to serve Velkar through unwavering discipline.

High Fire-Keeper Therion stood before it with his robe trailing ash-red behind him. Around him, lesser Keepers, also known as Fire-bringers knelt in reverence, heads bowed and praying.

A younger fire bringer entered, hesitant. "Keeper… the King summons you. He wishes to speak of the Sea."

Therion didn't turn right away. Only after a breath, he nodded. "Very well. Velkar's flame has burned restless these past few nights. I feared we would hear from the crown."

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

The throne hall was more practical than regal. Iron, stone, and fire-veined tiles. King Orven Deyar leaned forward on his seat as the High Keeper entered, accompanied by two guards.

"The elves already sent a scroll," the King said. "They believe the anomaly began in Uverra and confirmed it wasn't them. We must send a word to the sea. I want a formal scroll from the Temple. Signed by you."

"I will write it myself," Therion said. "And may Velkar's will burn through its words."

"Good. Commander Ralin will deliver it. The penguins near the southern strait still answer to us, yes?"

Therion's lips twitched a little. "They've never refused fire-dried sardines, if that's what you're asking."

The King chuckled. "Then take what you need."

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

Back at the Temple, the High Fire Keeper took a gold tablet reserved for only the most sacred messages. With a flick of his fingers, a narrow ribbon of fire danced to life at his palm, burning steady and sharp. He guided it across the surface of the golden message tablet, etching every letter by hand.

>To the Sea Court of Uverra,

Three days ago, our sacred flames faltered and died — even the youngest forges and the molten veins of Norvainth. Then they roared back to life in a way we've never seen.

We do not claim to know the cause, but the disturbances began without warning… and the signs led us to gaze towards the sea.

Has something awakened beneath your waters?

We send this message in peace and caution and not to blame, but to understand. The Forest Queen has sent word as well. If your tides stir with unrest, we must prepare together.

Let this be met not with silence, but with truth.

— Therion,

High Fire-keeper of Velkar

When it was done, he placed the tablet on a cool obsidian tray. One of the younger fire bringers stepped forward, wrapping it in thick red cloth woven with ember-thread and stamped with the flame-sun crest.

Therion turned to the soldier waiting at the base of the dais — Commander Ralin, clad in fire-forged armour, its surface streaked with red like cooled magma.

"You take this to the sea. The southern strait."

Ralin nodded while stepping forward.

"Find the penguin envoy. Offer him the tribute."

She tapped the side pouch tied to her belt, the scent of smoked fish and dried berries rising from within. Penguins weren't picky, but they always expected something extra.

He gave her one last look, then placed his palm on the wrapped tablet.

"Then may Velkar's gaze guide you. Let the sea know, the fire has not gone silent."

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

The wind at Ember-reach carried both heat and brine. Steam hissed where molten rock met tide. Commander Ralin stood at the edge, scanning the waves.

She cupped her hands around her mouth.

"Courier of the Ice Runners! Message from Norvainth!"

A sleek black-and-white shape darted through the shallows, then surfaced a large penguin with a silver-tipped beak and harness glinting under the sun.

"Took you long enough," he said, shaking off water. "We expected this two tides ago."

"We were confirming the forest's report," Ralin replied. "This one goes straight to Uverra's sea court."

She held out a gold-etched case. The penguin waddled up, clipped it to his harness, and gave a single nod.

"Delivery guaranteed. No snacks?"

Ralin took out the things she had packed from the palace and handed them over to the penguin and with a dive, he vanished into the sea.

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧