The room slowly shifted from chaos to motion. Leaders dispersed. Orders were given. Messengers rushed out. The announcement finally provided direction.
Lyam remained at the center table, scanning the map one last time before his gaze lifted…landing on Starfania. And Atlas. A brief pause. Then he reached for a piece of parchment. Without another word, he began writing. Quick. Precise. Every stroke is deliberate. Starfania watched quietly, her curiosity building as the faint scratching of ink filled the space between them. When he finished, he folded the paper once and held it out to her.
" I need you to deliver this," Lyam said, his tone returning to its usual firmness. Starfania took the paper carefully.
" To Katherine," he continued. " She's the best blacksmith in Primara. Runs her own forge—Emberforge Armory."
He paused. Just for a moment. Something subtle shifted in his expression. Then, quieter—almost under his breath — " Tell her…Li sent you."
Another pause. " And that we need this done immediately."
For a split second, the weight behind those words lingered—personal, unspoken. Then, just as quickly, it was gone. Lyam straightened, his posture snapping back into place. Nothing had happened.
Starfania studied him for half a second longer—not questioning. But noticing. Then she nodded. " I'll go right away."
As she turned to leave— " Starfania."
She stopped glancing back. Lyam's expression had softened—just slightly. " Not bad, kid."
A faint exhale left him. " I'm starting to understand why Cantina chose you."
The words caught her off guard. Not because of what he said—but because he meant it. Starfania blinked once, then gave a small, quiet nod. " Thank you."
With that—she turned. Atlas moved beside her instantly, his presence steady as ever. And together, they left the hall. The moment the doors opened— " Aren't you going to tell us what happened?"
Violet rushed forward first, her compact frame practically vibrating with curiosity and worry. Aeron wasn't far behind, arms crossed but eyes sharp.
" Are you alright?" he asked, more serious than usual. Drogo let out a low rumble beside them, as if echoing the concern. Starfania exhaled, the tension of the room still clinging to her.
" I'm okay," she said, though her voice carried the weight of everything she'd just heard. She glanced between them. " They're planning to release the poison during the eclipse."
Silence. Immediate. Violet's expression dropped. " That's…that's in three days."
Starfania nodded.
" And it gets worse," she added. " The eclipse weakens the dragons. Makes the poison spread faster."
Aeron's jaw tightened. " So basically…worst possible timing."
" Exactly."
She unfolded the paper slightly, holding it up. " We don't have time to wait for a cure. So we're trying to stop it before it spreads."
Violet blinked. " We?"
Starfania met her eyes. " We."
An infinitesimal pause. Then she continued. " Lyam wants me to go to Emberforge Armory. There's a blacksmith named Katherine—we need her to make something from this list."
Aeron leaned in slightly, curiosity sparking. " Weapons?"
" More like…preparation," Starfania said. Violet grinned faintly despite everything. " So we finally get to do something?"
Starfania let out a small breath—half nervous, half determined. " Yeah."
She looked between them. " All of us."
Atlas shifted beside her, lifting his head toward the sky.