Arzoth's doubts were beginning to take shape, and he was starting to understand that Valmira was behind all this mess, but he still needed more information to know for sure what was happening, beyond assuming mindlessly.
"How long has she been gone for?" Arzoth asked.
It wasn't really out of concern that he had questioned Evren about the queen going missing; his tone was more detached and calculating than concerned.
"Just as long as you were gone with that dragon and the half-demon."
Evren answered.
"Was any search party sent to look after her? Or she told someone about it?"
"No, nothing that sort happened. But the King did get a letter stating she will return shortly."
The fact that a letter was sent to the kingdom caught Arzoth's attention.
Valmira never reveals her location until she chooses to. Even when she went missing in the palace to meet Sarina and make the pact, she ensured no one knew where she was. If her current situation is part of her plan, she definitely won't let anyone know her whereabouts. Sending a letter to the king proves she wanted him to be aware of her departure.
"Who sent the letter? Was it the queen?" Arzoth questioned.
"I am not sure of the details, but the King kept the letter to himself."
Evren's answer made Arzoth furrow slightly. It was funny how neither the king nor Evren himself took any interest in knowing where the queen vanished. Evren seemed to be uncharacteristically nonchalant about the whole matter.
Arzoth knew that pushing for more questions at the moment could get Evren more suspicious than he already is. If Valmira can successfully manipulate Arisa, then there is a possibility that she will have the power to manipulate Evren as well.
"Thanks, Evren," Arzoth said flatly.
Before the magic circle could close down, Evren's voice cut through it in an urgent tone, "Arzoth, what is happening? Why-"
"I'll tell you everything later."
Arzoth cut him off,
"Right now, I want you to just keep a watch on any more of those letters that come."
Before Evren could say anything else, the magic circle closed down. Evren's words still hovered in his mind.
Kya blinked twice as if to clear the remnants of the magic performed. She looked at Arzoth and asked,
"So? What's next?"
Arzoth glanced at the creature and smirked while he said, "Next? We go to the Valkyra land."
"Yet again? For what? To find Arisa?" Kya questioned curiously.
"No, I need to find my mother's location. We'll locate Arisa once we find the queen," Arzoth explained further. "Evren's verdict made it clear to me that Queen Valmira was involved—either directly or significantly—in Arisa's indifference. I believe I understand what's happening. Arisa must have injured Skor for a reason. I suspected it was because of his scales, but after seeing Arsia take the mana crystals, that doubt was confirmed. She definitely sneaked Skor's scales during their struggle in the forest. I'm also certain Queen Valmira was very interested in the scales when she met Skor, knowing he is an ice dragon."
"You mean to say that Valmira planned to kill Skor through Arisa just for his scales?" Kya questioned.
Arzoth said, "For that to be answered, we need to go back to Valkyra land. We will get the answers to our questions there."
*****
Sarina stood before the broken bars of the only prison cell situated deep in the basement of the demonic castle, the chains of its previous captive lay broken and shattered on the harsh floor of the dingy cell. Her expression was as hard-yielding as ever, as she clenched her fists.
"She was gone before we knew," Tashi said.
The silence stretched on as Sarina entered the cell, her eyes scanning the area with a sharp look. Her gaze fell on the ash that was formed of the chains, probably in the process of getting rid of it.
"Reckless," Sarina muttered under her breath like a hiss.
A shining particle caught her eye. It was lying on the harsh floor. Sarina crouched down to take a good look at it. The material was as small as a grain.
She touched it to see what it was for herself, but as soon as her skin made contact with the material, her skin reacted, causing her to pull back instantly. The sting of her burned fingers shot through her veins. She immediately knew what the particles were made of; it wasn't like burning coal, but something she recognized.
Tashi watched from a distance, her voice measured as she said, "Mana crystal. What is that doing here?" Her expression remained calm and collected, as if no flood of questions were running through her mind.
Sarina stood up, straightening herself. She said, "It's just a small piece of it. Someone had brought the mana crystals here."
Tashi interrupted, "But no one is allowed to enter this place except those approved by you, my queen."
"Arisa was here."
Tashi's eyes widen slightly, "How can you be so sure?"
"These chains," Sarina's eyes wandered to the ash spread on the floor, "Could only be destroyed by demons or dragons, as they have high mana capacity and can destroy such a powerful metal like this to ashes. I wasn't here. Skor is injured. Who else could it be if not her?"
"But why would she do this?"
Sarina didn't say anything for a moment. Her expression hardened as she said, "Only Arzoth could tell us why."
Tashi opened her mouth to say further, but decided not to. She knew better than to question her queen at such times and had learnt to trust her methods.