SPELLBOUND

No one among the Lords could even say a thing right now. It was strange how this foreign Queen actually made their instincts just react like this before they could even accept everything she had said. They should not be that affected just like that but here they were, feeling this peculiar but all too familiar emotion. This emotion was something their King alone would manage to bring out from within them before a war. So how could this slip of a woman make them feel the same way just by… Just who is this woman?

They all knew that she is the queen of the light faes. They also now knew that she is the keeper of the fire dragons as well. But she still should not be all that great. They still believed that King Belial was far stronger than her even if she had dragons at her disposal. But there was just something inexplicable about her. It was as if she was someone greater… it was even so unsettling how she was able to speak to them, the feared Lords of the Dark Faes and even to their Great King in such a fearless way. And the most unsettling thing was the fact that they were unable to refute her, almost as if she was someone far greater than what they were seeing. Just what is going on? This was definitely abnormal!

"Queen Evielyn," the king finally broke the tense silence within the tent. "Your proposal is something that is truly unique and fresh. Even I, have never thought of looking at things this way before. But do be rest assured that we will consider this seriously. Just give us some time to go over this proposal as I need to hear out my men's thoughts about this first."

Evie gracefully smiled at the King. Of course, Evie was not so naïve to think that she would be able to get everyone's cooperation with just one single talk. She knew that even if King Belial was on her side, the king could not just decide on the matter on his own. He needs his subjects, most specifically all these Lords, to cooperate and work hand in hand with him.

"I fully understand, King Belial," Evie replied and then she and the light faes stood and left the tent, knowing that this matter was something serious that the dark faes needed to deal with.

Outside the tent, Evie and Zanya were facing the Abyss that was not very far from the camp, while the light faes and vampires stood behind them.

"My Queen," Zanya spoke, "do you think that all the Lords would come to an agreement with your proposal?"

"I don't know, Zanya. But I truly hope they will be able to make a decision now. As soon as possible, in fact." Evie answered. In all honesty, Evie was a bit worried that they will not be able to come to a decision today. She was not ignorant about the matters of politics. There were times when final decisions would need to take quite a long while of going back and forth between the many parties involved. She understood that. However, this was not the time for them to delay anything, even the so-called big decisions.

Evie wanted the dark faes to come to a decision now. Because she wanted to start the preparations now. She only managed to find three dragon riders out of the dozens of the men that she had seen in her vision. Evie thought that maybe, many of those riders were probably common warriors right now who were still undiscovered. Now that she thought about it, she realized that almost half of them had looked younger. Perhaps, those were the warriors who grew the fastest during the long and drawn-out war. And since most of the stronger dark faes had already fallen, the newer and younger ones were forced to grow stronger, or they were probably hidden gems that were still undiscovered right now.

This thought made Evie want to not waste any more time. Because she wanted to find those hidden gems and train everyone now while time was still on their side. If everyone could grow and become stronger earlier, then that would definitely bring such a big difference to the war, it will certainly change something!

Evie had also just realised now that those dragon riders must have taken quite a long time to learn how to ride the dragons. Even for her, who was a dragon keeper had a hard time making her dragons listen to her, how much more for these non-dragon keepers? It would certainly take time for them to be able to do that, and that was why she was even more antsy now.

If she wanted to change the future, she must get everyone make a move as early as possible. If done on a voluntary basis would be even better. Now. But how? How could she convince the dark faes to make a decision now?

As Evie was thinking hard, her eyes caught the figure of a boy sitting alone at the corner. Evie instantly recognized that golden coloured cloth that was wrapped over his forehead.

Suddenly, Evie moved closer to him, causing Zanya and the vampires to follow after her.

Evie halted as she looked down at him. When he looked up and blinked at Evie, she smiled. This was the warrior who rode on Vermillion in her vision. She remembered how strong he was in her vision. To think that he was only a young boy right now.

Her gaze fell to the large wound on his shoulder that he was healing. It was a wound from a sword. Evie instantly realized he must have been wounded by his fellow warrior.

"Hello, I am Queen Evielyn of the light faes. If you don't mind, may I know what is your name?" Evie asked and the young man scrambled to rise, not knowing what to say.

"Caz… Caztiel."

"That's such a nice name. Are you interested in the dragons, Caztiel?"

His eyes widened at her question. Evie literally saw the sparkles in his eyes when he heard the word 'dragons'.

His head nodded like a rattle and Evie smiled at him.

"If I called one of my dragons over now, would you want to ride on it?"

Caztiel's eyes widened even more and sparkled, as though throwing stars out of his own eager orbs. Ride?! On them dragons?! Hell, YEAH!!

"Y-yes! Definitely Queen!" he really could not contain his excitement.

"That's the spirit." Evie straightened and shut her eyes as she called for a dragon.

When Zanya saw this, her eyes widened. W-wait… what is she… don't tell me… was she going to summon a dragon now? And in here!

Zanya was right. When Evie saw that boy, she thought of a way to convince the dark faes. She must show them her prowess. That was the fastest way to push them along in making up their minds quickly. She knew the words alone would never be enough. Therefore, she was going to do this.

"Vermillion… Fir… Crimson…" Evie called three of her dragons and thankfully she felt them respond to her.. "Come forth, my dragons."