"And what do they say about the dragons saniya?"
The lady asked her sister, who was about nineteen years of age, with hair as white as pure snow. Her eyes were dark, cold, stretched, and sharp. Her face was that of a cautious royal woman. A small nose, skin so fair.
She sat in the room as the maids readied her, draping a black coat over her and placing an ice-blue scarf upon her left shoulder. The room was carved from black stone, with every corner and pillar echoing its architecture and design, depicting the first humans, the men of Lotus, and their society.
Some were drawn with swords, others with crowns. Women with pots and children with wooden toys. Such was the architecture of the northern lands.
From the window, one could feel the cold winds from the heavenly mountains far away from the Himlands.
A fireplace brewed its flame right next to where she seated herself, opposite the mirror.
Behind her sat her sister on a soft sofa beside a candle, her eyes fixated on an old book she read.
A young student she was. Long black hair and a face full of youth and excitement.
The lady looked at her through the mirror as she awaited her answer.
"The dragons were one of the first of the seven witherers that were originally discovered known for their rebellious and courageous nature.
The first of the dragons was an unknown man of an unknown kingdom who was exiled from the protection of the northern mountains as his subjects and courtmen betrayed him. Standing against the giant storm itself, it threw him thousands of feet into the sky, but the man survived the fall and was blessed as the first dragon of the witherers.
Dragons prefer to live away from society and civilization in isolation rather than in groups like the death eaters. Since most of their rituals and natural ways are carried out in secrecy, we do not know much about their magic, but it is believed to be known that they oppose the way of order and nature."
The young sibling recited the book as she read it excitedly.
The lady signaled the maids to leave as they both sat alone in the room.
She looked at her, moving from the mirror to the sofa where she was seated.
"And what are the dragons to us?"
She asked her in an affirmative tone.
"Allies who fought against the Ramanian invaders for the freedom of our kingdom and their wilderness."
Saniya added.
"Great, now let us revise about ourselves, the Coldbringers."
She asked Saniya as she placed her hand behind her.
"The first witherers of the northern lands beyond the northern barrier ranges.
Our first witherer was Himmen, the first Ice King.
He survived the first withering storm on the surface to prove his bravery to the people of Northern Lotus. When the storm was over, he woke up at the feet of the godly mountains and became the first Icebringer of the witherers.
He who could turn fire into ice and ashes into snowfall. With a single touch, he could freeze objects and humans alike. He ruled the kingdom he named the Himlands and had three children.
We are the descendants of the firstborn of the true witherer and the Icebringer, the Himalayans."
Saniya answered her sister.
"It seems you're learning quite well."
She praised her.
"Now, would you tell me what was the name of that knight?"
She asked, her expression teasing Saniya.
"Who?"
Saniya replied innocently as she put the book down and looked around the room.
"the man you've been having an affair with?"
She asked.
"Quite now." Saniya replied, "what if anyone hears you."
"For your sake, I hope father doesn't."
She giggled.
"Do you even know how old Ser Heisen is?"
She asked, pulling her seriousness together.
"He's nineteen and what's four more years than me? And for all father could care he wants me to marry that estate owner that is ten years older than me."
Saniya said as she fixed her ponytail opposite the mirror.
"That's relieving to hear, but what is wrong with him? He is an excellent match for you."
She asked Saniya.
"He is lame. I don't want to marry a fat lord, I want to marry a strong knight that can protect me."
Saniya answered.
"Besides, I think there is someone else's marriage that is more concerning to the king than mine."
She teased her sister as she ran back up to her.
"i mean, if you're to be the ice queen won't marriage will make your husband the king?"
She asked as her face dulled.
"Only if he is the descendant of the firstborn."
Her sister explained to her.
"Well, there are others with the firstborn's blood than us?"
She asked.
"There are, but they bear no right to the throne unless they've pledged their loyalty to the king as a knight or an advisor, or have married someone in the royal family."
Her sister answered as she got up from the sofa.
"But it seems that our uncle's sons would have a much stronger claim as they're…Well, sons."
She told her, her expression wary of her words.
"What about Harren? Won't he be the next ice king?"
Saniya asked.
"Our brother apparently has no interest in the throne…I am sure he is probably wasting around in some brothel as we speak."
Her sister tightened her words as she spoke of him. Just then, a knight approached the room.
Covered in dark black armor, his face hidden behind a helmet and a fur coat atop his shoulders.
The knight bowed to her as he demanded her attention.
"Your grace has summoned you to the court, Lady Sona"
The knight told her.
"what is it?"
She asked.
"It's about the Ramanians."
The knight replied.
Saniya caught the words as her mind recalled their schemes.
"Have they arrived in Himlands already?"
She asked, her voice hurried.
"There is a message."
The knight replied as Sona hurried with him.
"Where is prince Harren? It's been hours now."
She asked him as they both walked through the open hallways of the castle.
Saniya knew where her brother was.
She was the only one he had told about the brothel where he usually went.