Though the temperature is not favorable for a young 12-year-old dragon, the north is a place Kaldor would love to stay. When he arrives at the training grounds, he is greeted with a sparring match between Azura and Sir Rizontie.

It is a remarkable sight. Azura´s agility and technique are what the other knights in the training grounds keep commenting on, but Kaldor seems to only notice her beauty.

“Your Majesty, welcome to the north,” someone rudely interrupts his ‘not suspicious at all’ gazing, “I am Lapis O’Dea, I am a trainee knight.”

“Pleasure to be of your acquaintance, Lady O’Dea.”

“Are you waiting for Sir Rizontie?”

“Yes, he said he would guide me around.”

“Did he? I can guide you around if you want, the sparing will take forever. Lady Azura is not one to give up. Easily, they once spent the entire day and passed out of hunger the next. morning.”

“I don’t mind waiting, Lady O’Dea; don’t you have anything better to do?”

“Is there anything better than guiding the light of the empire?”

“I prefer being called life, since I am the next emperor.” Kaldor scoffs, but Lapis does not get the hint at all; in fact, she continues to rudely speak.

“Oh, I will keep that in mind.”

Sparing with Rizontie is one of Azura’s favorite things apart from the knight festival and hunting. It allows her to do something she is effortlessly good at, and Rizontie is a capable opponent she would love to defeat once.

“I think today’s lesson should end here.”

“Why are you afraid of losing to me?”

“Certainly not. I am not losing to a ten-year-old. I just needed to go guide the Crown Prince and give him the dos and don'ts  of the north.”

“Lady O’Dea seems to be interested; let them be.”

“The prince doesn’t seem to be interested, though.”

“Fine,” Azura pouts, “but this is the last time I let that royal piece of work get what he wants.” She stomps off the ground before making a menacing glare at the prince, who smirks in return.

“You and Lady Azura don’t seem to get along. I don’t blame you, though. Lady Azura has a lot to deal with.”

“Lady O’Dea, you talk a little bit too much; you should learn to keep your nose out of others' businesses and to shut up more often.” He replies, “And I do not hate Lady Azura, I haven’t just warmed up to her, still.”

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Your Majesty. Let me show you around.”

Sending Kaldor to the north was to straighten him up after throwing a tantrum, even if he had a valid reason; he went about it the wrong way, and, as a future leader, it was not acceptable to the emperor.

He had anticipated him to come back as strong as Sir Valen, who continued to be one of the strongest and most disciplined imperial knights. But he had never thought that he had sent his son to his demise.

“You say you have a report that assassins from the north attacked the carriage, and everyone died. Including my son?” Gael Dino, the black dragon, and the emperor were in tears. The sole thought of being the one to send yet another one of his children to meet their end made his blood boil.