Danyla had settled the Golden Lion in Sheepstealer's dragonpit at Oldstones (the previous chapter has been revised). With the weirwood and the skull-shaped rock helping the Golden Lion gather magical energy, gold veins were forming here at an astonishing rate.
Even the skull-shaped rock seemed to have changed slightly, beginning to take on a faint golden hue. This made the magical energy around the dragonpit even denser, and Sheepstealer and the newborn hatchling Das Radon grew ever fonder of their surroundings.
Gazing at the towering, pale-gold weirwood before him, Omanrion could not help marveling,
"I never imagined there could be such a wondrous Metal Lion in this world."
"I feel as though my understanding of the world is still far too shallow. When I have the time, I really want to venture out and explore the wider world."
Danyla gently stroked Omanrion's little face, which had grown noticeably thinner lately from the strain of managing Oldstones, and said,
"Once your dragon has grown, no matter how vast the world is, you will be free to soar across it!"
"Take good care of your lands. Only after you have put things in order here will you have enough time to pursue your dreams."
"Yes, I know, Mother!"
True understanding came from experience. Although Omanrion had not governed Oldstones for long, he had already learned just how great the gulf was between the theories in books and real life.
Though the precocious Omanrion had begun gradually adapting to his new role under Danyla's guidance and with her help, he still had much to learn and experience to gain.
These were things Danyla could not help him with. Whatever the task, only when he truly understood and mastered it himself would it become a skill he could call his own.
Before leaving Oldstones,