Chapter 59

As the large boat slowly made it's way through the icy water Gauri was feeling very grateful for the warm cloak that Omkara had gifted her a few days back.

"Princess...we are almost there."

Fray was indeed mysterious. No one from the outside has ever managed to step foot inside and if they did they were never seen again. Gauri had remembered her mother telling her that in her young days she had snuck out of Fray due to curiosity of what lies outside the cold walls of Fray. That of course was how her mother had met their father. Gauri's mood sadden as she clearly envisioned her mother's sad expression whenever she would recite how she met their father. It was an expression that Gauri knew was filled with utter regret but whenever she asked her mom about Fray her mother would only stroke her hair and say "I can not say anymore regarding Fray but if one day your destiny changes Gauri....you will also be given a choice...mother will only hope you make the right one; unlike me."

Till this day she still doesn't quite understand her mother's words but as of right now Gauri could not believe her eyes. As the boat slowly made it's way through a narrow opening she could see the gates of Fray slowly opening. The large frozen gate pushed the water below it causing the boat to rock backwards. Gauri stood there as Arjun rowed the boat inside.

"We are here Princess."

Her eyes couldn't break away from the large icy walls that formed shapes of crystals that emitted so many different colors all over Fray. When the boat finally halted at the dock she could see many people looking at her from afar. They were shrouded in thick animal fur but she could still tell by their eyes that they knew who she was. With the snow slowly falling down Gauri cautiously step off the boat with Nala following closely beside her and as soon as her foot touched the land of Fray everyone around her took a knee.

"Hail to the Crown Princess of Fray!"

The chanting voices echoed through the frozen walls causing snow that was once calmly resting on the crystals to shake and fall like rain. It didn't take long for the royal guards of Fray to come and escort her to the palace. Every one of them donned on a silver armor with a dragon symbol on their chest. Even the long spear that they were holding had what look liked white dragon scales on the pole.

When she saw the white palanquin waiting for her Gauri slowly stepped inside while Nala followed closely by. Arjun of course was on the opposite side of the palanquin.

"The Queen has been waiting to see you Princess."

Gauri remained silent as four men carried the palanquin through the snow. Just by how smooth the short journey was Gauri could already tell that the guards of Fray were very strong. Not once did the palanquin rocked or swayed. She didn't even realize when the palanquin had been set down in front of the palace until Arjun called out to her.

"Princess. We are here."

The moment she stepped out she was welcomed by about 40 armed guards with 20 lined up on each side of the white staircase that led up to the palace doors. Each and every one holding a spear while taking a knee.

"Welcome Princess!"

Gauri slowly made her way up the white stairs with Nala and as soon as she reached the doors two guards bowed their heads and quickly opened the double doors. The palace itself was made out of white crystals. Even the floor beneath her feet felt cold but not unbearable. With large cylinder pillars on each side of the halls Gauri could already see an elderly woman in white sitting on what was no doubt a throne. A chair made out of oversized crystals that sparkled with different colors only made the elderly woman look more enchanting.

Gauri calmly took a knee along with her head bowed down and gave her greetings. "Greetings your Highness." But who would have thought that the woman was quick to stop her.

"You my child...do not bow down to anyone here."

As she lifted her head she could see a pair of eyes that was filled with so many emotions. Gauri did not know how she should react but she didn't want to brush away her grandmother that she had never seen once in her life. This woman was not her enemy nor her loved ones but she was firmly holding onto her hand.

When Kalyani heard a faint growl she quickly gave Nala a sharp glare. Gauri has never seen Nala back down before until right now. Nala didn't even dare to look at the elderly woman who quickly commanded everyone to leave.

"Arjun..you take the Princess's pet somewhere else. I have important matters to discuss with my grand daughter."

Gauri did not stop Arjun because she too wanted to speak to the Queen about wanting to visit her mother's tomb.

"Come child. Follow me."

Kalyani was impressed with Gauri's calm demeanor. The girl neither fought her nor showed any hatred towards her. This was a good sign that she had a very good upbringing.

"Jhanvi you did really well." Kalyani thought to herself as she took Gauri to the room that only the royal bloodline of Fray may enter.

She couldn't deny that she was a bit nervous to just follow the Queen of Fray blindly but if they wanted to do her harm then there was no need to escort her here. The only uncomfortable thing right now was that the woman would not let go of her hand.

Soon they reached a very large white double door with dragons for handles. Gauri could see that this was no ordinary door because when you look closely you could see the dragon was giving off white smoke.

"Go ahead dear...open it."

Without hesitation Gauri used both hands to grab hold of the dragon handles. Initially it felt really cold but then there was a surge of warmth running through her palms and a glowing light sound engulfed her entire body. She didn't know what to make of it when she pulled the doors open unveiling a large room with white dragon scales for walls.

Kalyani couldn't help but smile seeing the doors open with someone else's hands.

Gauri was still in awe of what had just happened that she didn't even noticed the doors closing behind her. However the woman quickly took hold of her hand once again.

"Come."

The room looked bare at first glance until Gauri saw the Queen of Fray raise up her hand and magically from under the crystal floor a small table rose up.

"Today I will tell you all about Fray."

This time Gauri did not let Kalyani continue.

"Wait. Before you waste your time. I am only here to visit my mother."

Kalyani felt a slight sting in her heart hearing such cold words from her only granddaughter but how can she blame her. She was no more then a stranger to this young woman and yet she was too rash to jump into things that she hadn't realize her granddaughter showed no interest in Fray.

"I will take you to see her soon but before then you must listen."

Gauri did not want to give the old woman false hopes so she needed to make things very clear.

"I will listen as long as you know that I am not here to become the Crown Princess of Fray."

"Very well."

Kalyani brushed her hand on the small white table prompting something to open in the center. As she pulled out a small ice box Kalyani slowly opened the lid and pulled out what seem to be a small white pill.

"This is called The Frozen Heart."

Gauri: Frozen Heart?

As a person who practiced medicine Gauri was very interested and the pill itself was giving off a white light.

"This pill could only be consumed by Fray's Crown Princess. It holds great power that could save the world from destruction and sadly they have found the Fire Blossom."

"Did you say Fire Blossom?"

"Yes. The blood of the Black Dragon...Obis."

Gauri couldn't hide her concern when she heard the words Fire Blossom. That was the flower that Omkara was waiting for to bloom this spring.

"Why would the Fire Blossom bring destruction?"

"To fully understand I will tell you about the legend of how it all began. A legend passed down from generation to generation here in Fray."

Kalyani takes out a white book with a two dragons intertwining on it's cover from a compartment in the small table.

"Have you heard of the tale of the two dragons?"

Gauri slightly nods her head.

"Well...according to what is written here the world indeed was created by these two godly creatures. Odin, the Black Dragon was in charge of using it's power of fire to shape the land of this world while the White Dragon Aizen used it's power of water and ice to create life."

"Create life?" Gauri mumbled in astonishment.

"Yes...and it was our royal bloodline that the White Dragon had chosen us to become it's successor. Did you ever find it odd that the animals in this world were so drawn to you my dear? Even the magical beasts that lived within the magical Forest of Ashen?"

Of course the thought had crossed her mind but she had never expected the reason to be this.

"How can these creatures not recognize the successors of it's creator?" Kalyani chuckled. "With Odin choosing it's own successors in Mordis we were task with keeping an eye out for the Fire Blossom that would bloom every 50 years on Fire Bloom Mountain. Many hundreds of years the people of Mordis was unable to find it till 20 years ago and ever since then I have been very worried."

Gauri: Worried? Is the King of Mordis not worthy to drink the Dragon's blood? He is the only one that I can think of that should have such power.

Kalyani shakes her head. "Dear...he is not the only one who can drink it. He still has an uncle that has the same royal blood running through his veins. It is better to not have anyone consume it."

Gauri: And if The King of Mordis does?

"The fire will ignite in his heart and without something to balance the fiery flame it will consume him. The thirst for destruction will cloud his mind bringing this world to it's end."

Gauri was still skeptical since Fray has never been seen lurking in other Kingdoms. Especially in Mordis where Omkara would have took notice of any foreign people lurking in the shadows.

"How have you been spying on Mordis without them knowing?"

"I do not need to leave Fray to see my dear."

Kalyani could see that Gauri was doubting her so she took out an eye mask made fully of white dragon scales.

"Put this on."

Gauri takes the mask and puts it over her eyes. "It's.....it's Mordis!"

The view was shown from high up above giving her a glimpse of Mordis in it's entirety.

"How can this be?!"

Kalyani: With this mask you can see through the eyes of any animal that you wish. This is through the eyes of a snow owl that lives in Mordis.

Soon the owl flew down closer towards the red glowing flower.

Gauri: So what can balance out the Fire Bloom? The Frozen Heart Pill?

Kalyani: Yes. But with a price.

**Hope you guys like this update. Do vote if you did. Too lazy to proof read so hopefully not that many mistakes.**