From the corner of the grand hall, Aether, the Pegasus, finally spoke, her voice calm and resonant, carrying the weight of timeless wisdom. “Princess Mollie, you must see the truth for what it is. To the people of Brightmoor, you are not a savior but a figure of fear. The mere sight of you would set their hearts racing with terror, and I would not be surprised if they chased you with torches, driven by their ignorance.”
Sorceress Sherwood turned sharply, her silver hair sweeping behind her, and with a flick of her fingers, an ornate chair glided toward her like a loyal steed. She sank into it gracefully. “But I can’t stay here forever, dancing my days away. Life on this mountain is unbearably dull! Something beyond these walls is happening—something we can’t ignore.”
Lumi hopped anxiously, his tail twitching. “No way! The Shadow Grove is far too dangerous, and meddling in Brightmoor’s affairs is asking for trouble!”
Sorceress Sherwood tilted her head, a hint of defiance in her expression. “I’ve lived for 120 years and never once stepped beyond Snowveil Peak. This is a rare chance—one we may never have again. And those children… They may have been taken by some dark force. I can’t ignore this. If we don’t intervene, who will?”
Aldrin waved a massive blue hand dismissively. “No, no, Little Mollie. Human problems are for humans to solve. We should keep out of it.”
Sorceress Sherwood didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze swept across the room, her expression darkening with solemnity. After a long pause, she spoke somberly, “You all know the dream I’ve been having, don’t you?”
Aldrin stilled, his arms frozen mid-wave, and the others turned their attention to her.
“I dream of being chased through a forest by a terrifying shadow,” she said, her voice low and edged with unease. “In the distance, I see a bright town, a place bathed in light. I try to run toward it, to reach it, but I never can.”
Aldrin frowned deeply. Lumi re-shook the snow from his fur, his ears twitching in silent thought, while Aether quietly folded her wings, her deep violet eyes reflecting concern.
“Every time I get close, the shadow grabs my shoulder, and I wake up.” Her voice grew heavier, her eyes dimming with a shadow of fear. “This dream has haunted me for nearly a century. Have any of you endured the same dream for that long?”
She drew a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with resolve. “This dream must mean something. It’s waiting for me to uncover its secrets. That’s why I want to go to Brightmoor—it’s not just for a change of scenery.”
Her voice grew stronger, like a flame rekindling. “The human world is in trouble, yes, and they may need our help. But for me, the most important thing is to unravel the mystery of this dream. And I know I cannot solve it while I remain trapped here on Snowveil Peak.”
Aether unfolded her wings with a soft but deliberate motion, stepping in front of Sorceress Sherwood as if to shield her from an unseen danger. Her presence exuded quiet strength and wisdom. “Princess Mollie,” she said gently yet firmly, “I understand how deeply this dream troubles you. It has lingered for far too long, casting its shadow over your spirit. But I must urge caution. The world beyond our mountain is not as it once was. The human realm is fraught with dangers, and the answers you seek may not lie in Brightmoor alone.”
Lumi padded closer to her side, his voice lowering. “He’s right, Mol. Maybe we should wait a little longer, watch how things unfold before making a decision.”
Aether nodded, her tone measured and reassuring. “I am not saying we should abandon this quest altogether. But perhaps this is not the moment to act. We do not yet understand the full meaning of your dream. Would it not be wiser to prepare ourselves, to seek answers before venturing out?”
Aldrin, looking slightly more relaxed, added, “Exactly, Little Mollie. There’s no need to rush. What if things are worse than we expect? We may not be able to return so easily.”
Sorceress Sherwood looked at Aether, her eyes flickering with thoughtfulness. For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze sweeping over each of them as if weighing their words. Then she took a steadying breath, her thoughts seemingly in turmoil.
“Fine,” she said at last, her tone calm, almost conceding. She pressed her lips together, her silence lingering, though her eyes darted restlessly, as if weighing a plan yet unspoken.
Aether studied her carefully, a faint sigh escaping her. “Whenever Princess Mollie wears that look,” she thought to herself, “it means her mind is already set.”
