After Danyla occupied Ghoyan Drohe and Ny Sar, none of the other great dragons much liked the water-aspected magical energy that permeated the Rhoyne basin, except Hognara, who possessed a special bloodline.
Moreover, even with Holy Flame Island supplying ample provisions and medicine, the people working in Ny Sar still fell ill easily.
Even though Danyla had ordered them to drink only boiled water that had cooled, and sanitation was kept to a very high standard, the situation had scarcely improved.
Even Danyla felt waves of discomfort from the mist that rose over Ny Sar each day. The Rhoyne's morning fog covered the ruins of Ny Sar like a burial shroud.
Danyla's fingers brushed the scorched grooves on a black stone pillar in the ruins of Ny Sar. The vitrified remnants gave off a faint heat in the twilight. Those indentations, nearly worn smooth by time, were certainly not natural.
They were marks left by dragonfire. She knew those destructive scars all too well.
"Your Majesty had best not touch those stones."
Priest Marco's voice came from behind her. The old descendant of the Rhoynar wore gray robes that almost blended into the ruins.
"These pillars have swallowed too much suffering and too many screams. With the passage of time, the magic upon them has become a curse."
At his words, Danyla hastily withdrew her hand. As she turned, her silver hair swept across the pillar's surface, actually producing electrical sparks.
In the distance, the Rhoyne looked like a wound flowing with molten gold beneath the setting sun. Danyla could not help remarking,
"Sometimes the world truly is wondrous. A gentle civilization of water actually nurtured the Rhoynar's character, as resilient as ordinary stone..."
Then she pointed to the faintly discernible runes at the foot of the pillar.
"Even these