March 20, Year of the Dragon's Wake
The Eastern Path through the Whispering Woods
I woke before dawn to the smell of warm bread and honey. Lyra had already packed a small bundle with food, a water skin, and a cloak woven from what she called "moon cotton"—it was light as air but felt as warm as a blanket.
"We have to hurry," she said, handing me a piece of bread. "The Whispering Woods are safest when the sun is high. After dark, the trees start to... talk. And not all of them are friendly."
I pulled the cloak around my shoulders and followed her out of the hut. The village was just starting to wake up—smoke rose from stone chimneys, and a few people with hair in shades of blue and gold waved at us as we passed. No one seemed surprised to see me, though their eyes held a mix of curiosity and caution.
"The City of Elders is about half a day's walk from here," Lyra explained as we stepped into the forest. She held her green crystal wand out in front of her, and a soft glow spread across our path. "This will keep the shadow sprites away—they like to lead travelers off course."
As we walked, the trees grew taller, their trunks twisting into patterns that looked like writing. Every so often, a low murmur would ripple through the leaves, and Lyra would whisper back in a language I didn't understand.
"What are they saying?" I asked.
"Some are asking who you are," she replied, glancing up at the branches. "Others are warning us about a storm coming from the mountains. We need to reach the old bridge before it hits."
Sure enough, dark clouds began to gather overhead within the hour. The wind picked up, carrying with it the smell of rain and something else—something sharp and metallic.
"Lyra, do you smell that?"
She stopped suddenly, her silver hair whipping around her face. "That's not rain. That's iron—and blood."
From behind a cluster of glowing ferns, three figures emerged. They wore dark armor that seemed to absorb the light around them, and their helmets had horns curved like ram's. In their hands were spears with black tips.
"Forest Sentinel patrol," Lyra whispered, pulling me behind her. "Stay quiet."
One of the armored figures stepped forward, its voice like grinding stone. "A foreigner. And a Starweaver child. You know the law—outsiders must be brought before the Council of Shadows."
"I'm taking her to the City of Elders," Lyra said firmly, her wand beginning to glow brighter. "They have the right to decide her fate, not you."
The Sentinel laughed—a harsh, hollow sound. "The elders are weak. We keep order in these woods."
Before they could move, the sky cracked open with thunder. But it wasn't just thunder—I heard a roar that shook the ground beneath our feet. Through the rain, a great shape descended from the clouds: a creature with scales like polished bronze, wings spread wide, and eyes that burned like embers.
A dragon.
It landed between us and the Sentinels, and the armored figures stumbled back in fear. The dragon turned its head toward me, and though its eyes were fierce, I felt no malice—only a strange sense of recognition.
"The Star-Blessed has come," a voice echoed in my mind, clear as day even over the storm. "Let her pass."
The Sentinels didn't need to be told twice. They turned and vanished into the trees as quickly as they'd appeared. The dragon lowered its head, and I saw a small medallion hanging around its neck—shaped like a star, just like the light I'd seen before I woke up in this world.
"Follow the river until you reach the stone arches," it said. "The elders are waiting."
With one last roar that seemed to clear the clouds away, the dragon took flight and disappeared into the now-blue sky.
Lyra stared after it, her mouth open wide. "I've never seen a dragon so close... and it spoke to you. The old stories were true—you really are special."
I touched my chest, where I suddenly felt warm. Whatever was happening to me, I knew now that getting home would be more complicated than I'd thought. And as we continued on our path toward the City of Elders, I realized I was starting to wonder if I even wanted to leave.