The sun rose slowly over the city of Sawant, painting the city in a warm glow. At first glance, the city looked like a masterpiece come to life, stone towers polished to a mirror shine, domed rooftops glimmering like dragon scales and, in the middle of it all, sat the city's jewel, the royal palace (or better known as the Dragon's Den to the locals).

Unfortunately for the city, though, all it took was a second glance at it for the cracks in the beautiful facade to be revealed. Vines worked tirelessly to eat away at stone, monkeys roamed the streets like they owned them (biting anyone who disagreed), windows were shattered, certain buildings were mere smoldering husks of what they once were...

And yet, the people had smiles on their faces. The reason why was fairly apparent. It wasn't because a celebration was going on, oh no. It was because the city was crawling with guards and anyone who didn't look suitably pleased with the situation was yanked into the back of an unmarked wagon and carted off to only who knows where.

The palace was by far the worst hit out of anywhere in the city. Large sections of it were still smoldering and walls had been knocked down haphazardly for no known reason. Well, no currently known reason at least. Yet, the large gates to it were undamaged, as if whatever had destroyed the massive structure had come from within.

The Scarlet Dragon seemed hesitant to dock here, as if it too shared its captain's aversion to the country. But it did, a shimmering shield quickly popping up around it to protect it from any thieves or people who would try to sink it.

The moment everyone, including Charvi who looked more than happy to be out and about, excited the ship, they were met by guards, a sword at each of their throats.

Before anyone could say or do anything to protect themselves, someone shouted something and the guards withdrew their swords and sheathed them. The person who shouted made their way through the crowd, jewellery jingling around their wrists and silver dragons going up her arms.

"Rajani! You made it!"
"Oh. Hello mother. It's good to see you again."