The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 361: East Ravka

Chapter 361: East Ravka

Within three days, Zoya finally arrived at a distant kingdom, far away from the sight of the world and as she climbed down from her white horse, she stood at the edge of the forest as she surveyed the kingdom below with an amused gaze.

Nestled in the northern part of the world, amidst rolling hills and dense forests lies the enigmatic kingdom of East Ravka, a realm shrouded in mystery and steeped in ancient lore, spoken of as an old folk, but it was as real as the earth itself.

In the annals of history, East Ravka stands as a bastion of arcane knowledge, a beacon of power, and a haven for supernatural beings.

East Ravka’s landscape was as diverse as its inhabitants. From the towering peaks of the Dragonspine Mountains to the tranquil shores of the Silver Lake, the kingdom boasts a rich tapestry of natural wonders.

Vast expanses of lush forests, meandering rivers, and fertile plains provide sustenance for its people, while hidden caves and forgotten ruins hold secrets centuries old.

The people of East Ravka were a resilient and diverse lot, comprising humans, elves, dwarves, faeries, witches, and other mythical beings.

United by a shared reverence for the arcane arts, they have forged a society where magic and mysticism are revered as much as strength and valor.

The origins of East Ravka were lost to time, obscured by the mists of antiquity. Legends spoke of a time when the kingdom was ruled by powerful sorcerers who wielded magic beyond mortal comprehension. It was said that they communed with ancient spirits, forged pacts with otherworldly beings, and unlocked the secrets of immortality.

As the centuries passed, East Ravka evolved into a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment, attracting scholars, mages, and adventurers from far and wide. Its libraries became repositories of esoteric knowledge, housing tomes, and scrolls that chronicled the history of the world and beyond.

Magic permeated every aspect of life in East Ravka, from the humblest peasant to the mightiest ruler. Wizards and sorceresses ply their trade in hidden sanctuaries, practicing ancient rituals and incantations passed down through generations. Alchemists concocted potions and elixirs that could heal the sick, grant strength to the weak, or imbue objects with magical properties.

Yet, for all its wonders, magic in East Ravka was a double-edged sword. Misuse of the arcane arts could lead to dire consequences, unleashing dark forces that threatened to consume the kingdom from within.

As such, the study and practice of magic were tightly regulated by the Council of Elders, a council of wise sages and mages who served as custodians of the kingdom’s mystical heritage.

To safeguard against external threats, East Ravka boasts a formidable army of knights, paladins, and warriors trained in the art of combat. But it was the Order of the Silver Dawn that stood as the kingdom’s first line of defense against the forces of darkness.

Comprised of elite warriors and skilled spellcasters, the Order traces its origins to the earliest days of East Ravka. Sworn to protect the kingdom and its people, the knights of the Silver Dawn are tasked with hunting down rogue sorcerers, banishing malevolent spirits, and thwarting the machinations of dark sorcery.

Beneath the surface of East Ravka laid a network of subterranean tunnels and caverns inhabited by all manner of fantastical creatures.

From the graceful nymphs of the Whispering Woods to the fearsome dragons of the Ashen Peaks, these beings coexist alongside humans and elves, their presence a testament to the kingdom’s status as a melting pot of cultures and races.

Yet, not all who dwell in the shadows are benevolent. The Underdark, as it was known, was home to dark elves, goblins, and other malevolent creatures who harbored ill will toward the surface dwellers. Skirmishes between the denizens of the Underdark and the surface kingdoms are not uncommon, and tensions between the two realms simmer beneath the surface like molten lava.

In the heart of East Ravka beats the pulse of a kingdom unlike any other, a realm where magic and mysticism intertwine with the mundane, and where the line between reality and fantasy blurs. As the world beyond its borders marches ever forward into an uncertain future, East Ravka remained a bastion of ancient wisdom and arcane power, a testament to the enduring legacy of a bygone era.

----

Taking along her important items with her, she tied her horse to a thick tree trunk before wearing a robe, putting the hood over her head to hide her face, after all, she was a foreigner, one she didn’t know whether they would accept or not.

After all, East Ravka was known for its very discreet nature and unwelcoming attitude to strangers, which made it apparent that they were hiring something, something of great significance that could change the fate of the world.

Of course they were hiding a lot of things, they possessed in their hold, countless of powerful relics and artifacts imbued with magic that was still yet unknown to the world, besides that, the knowledge they retained was to be kept a dying secret, never to be spilled. In fact, she had heard that the East Ravkans possessed the book of knowledge in their safety, it was rumored a folktale, but as well as the kingdom, East Ravka.

"Okay!" She breathed out as she hesitated warily before stepping down from the hill gently. She was well aware of their lack of hospitality to outsiders, but they were only protecting their kingdom.

Opening the doors to their kingdom meant easy access to enemy attacks and invaders, but even though their way of securing the kingdom from attack was a bit cold, it was a safer method.

Moving towards the kingdom, she stopped as she observed closely to see that there was a barrier dividing the kingdom from the forest.

At first glance, the barrier appeared as little more than a shimmering veil of energy, its surface pulsating with an otherworldly glow that danced like fireflies in the moonlight.

As one approached the barrier, a tingling sensation washed over them, like the touch of a thousand tiny fingers tracing patterns upon their skin. It was as if the very air itself had come alive, vibrating with the latent power of the ward that lay before them.

But the true nature of the barrier revealed itself only to those who dared to venture closer, their eyes drawn to the intricate runes that adorned its surface like a tapestry woven from strands of pure magic. Each glyph shimmered with its own unique hue, casting an iridescent glow that bathed the surrounding landscape in a kaleidoscope of colors.

But it was not just the beauty of the runes that captivated the eye, it was their purpose, their function within the grand design of the ward itself.

For as she studied them more closely, she could see that each glyph was imbued with a specific intent, a spell of protection or containment that worked in harmony with the others to form an impenetrable barrier against any who sought to pass.

But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the barrier was its adaptability, its ability to sense the intentions of those who approached and respond accordingly. For while it was designed to keep out intruders and threats, it also possessed a keen sense of discernment, able to recognize the difference between friend and foe, ally and adversary.

Zoya closed her eyes, muttering soft incantations and after a while, she moved gracefully through the dense foliage, her silver cloak billowing behind her like a ghostly apparition. She had traversed many realms in search of arcane knowledge, her powers unmatched and her intentions veiled in secrecy.

As she crossed the invisible barrier into the kingdom, a faint tremor rippled through the air, setting off alarms that echoed through the land.

In the blink of an eye, Zoya found herself encircled by a formidable array of elite warriors and it didn’t take long before realizing they were known as the Order of the Silver Dawn. Their armor gleamed in the soft light, adorned with symbols of ancient power, and their eyes bore the weight of centuries of vigilance.

For a moment, there was silence as the two forces regarded each other with wary respect. Zoya stood tall, her icy grey eyes meeting the gaze of the leader of the Order, a seasoned warrior with a steely determination etched upon his weathered features.

It wasn’t hard to recognize their leader, he stood out with that gaze of power in his eyes. She knew the reputation of the Silver Dawn well, their allegiance to the kingdom was unwavering, their loyalty to the crown absolute.

But Zoya did not flinch, nor did she raise her hands in defense. Instead, she lowered her hood, revealing long tresses of snow-white hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight.

Her face was serene, betraying no hint of fear or defiance. She knew that resistance would be futile against such a formidable force, and so she chose to surrender willingly, her mind already calculating the next steps in her enigmatic quest.

The leader of the Silver Dawn stepped forward, his gaze piercing as he assessed the white witch before him, his towering height looming above her, but she wasn’t intimidated as she faced him head on.

His sword remained sheathed at his side, a silent testament to the respect he held for Zoya’s power. In a voice as cold as the winter winds, he spoke, his words laden with the weight of authority.

"Zoya, white witch of the wandering woods," he began, his tone measured yet firm, she didn’t need to ask how he knew her name, after all he was a skilled mage. "You have trespassed upon the lands of the kingdom, and for that, you must answer. What brings you here, and what dark purpose drives you to defy the ancient wards that protect our realm?"

Zoya met his gaze without flinching, her own voice calm and unwavering. "I seek only knowledge." she replied, her words carrying a hint of sorrow beneath their surface. "The secrets of the arcane are my sole pursuit, and I meant no harm by crossing into your kingdom. But if it is justice you seek, then I shall submit willingly to whatever judgment you deem fit."

The leader of the Silver Dawn regarded her for a long moment, his eyes searching her face for any sign of deception. But Zoya’s expression remained unchanged, her demeanor as serene as the still waters of a tranquil lake.

With a nod of acceptance, the warrior signaled to his comrades, who moved forward to bind the white witch’s hands with shimmering chains of enchanted silver. So she was right, it seems. He was the leader.

As they led her away, Zoya cast one final glance over her shoulder, her eyes locking with those of the leader of the Silver Dawn.

And so, Zoya was taken into custody, her fate now in the hands of those who stood as guardians of the kingdom’s ancient legacy. But even as she vanished into the depths of their stronghold, the memory of her ethereal presence lingered like a whisper on the wind, a reminder of the boundless mysteries that lay beyond the borders of the known world.