Sedora looked amused. "That is if you get to live, Brantley, after all this is over," she said waving her hand. "I will never let you have what you want so badly, dragon rider. All this cycle of fate that you have set in motion—I am going to bring it to a halt. I am going to take over the ore world and kill you so slowly and painfully that you wouldn't even know whether you are alive or dead."

Brantley hissed. "You don't know the power of a dragon rider in that case."

​​

She glared at him and wanted to lash out but then clicked her tongue and said in a boring tone, "Anyway, I am not interested in conversing with you at the moment. You see my people are waiting to dance on the floor while they wine and dine. There are so many women who want to please Daryn. As for Gayle, he is mine to please." She laughed. She turned to her guards and said in a sharp voice, "Take her to the contestants' temporary quarters and show these two men to the guest rooms."

"Wait!" Dawn said loudly.

Everyone's attention in the room went to her.

"I need to talk to my husband."

Sedora tilted her head. She said, "Go ahead. I wonder if he would even listen to you."

Dawn faced Daryn who was still looking as dazed as ever. She had to pull him out, to make him see the things, to reason out with him. She started to walk towards him hurriedly, scared that Sedora would change her mind. However, as soon as she reached within ten feet distance from him, she was bounced back. She looked in front of her wondering if she missed something here. Everything was clear but the air was heavy. She walked again and once more found herself bounced against an invisible wall. "What is going on?" she asked. She pressed her body against the wall, as one would do against a glass.

"Well, you have to speak with him from there only," said Sedora.

Dawn swallowed hard. The woman was disgusting. She called out Daryn, but he gave her a fleeting look and then again pressed his head on the woman's stomach. Why didn't he recognize her? Why didn't she feel anything from his side? Did he just call out her name? Was he shrouded in one of her illusions?

"It's no use Dawn," said Brantley.

"Exactly!" said Sedora with a smile. "It's no use. Tomorrow would be the first day of the contest and I will introduce all the women who covet the prize, which in this case is my son, Daryn. In fact if I find out where my older one is, I will get him too for the second round." She laughed again and waved her hands towards the guards who came around Dawn. "The thing is that if you win this contest, then you can have him. But I got to give a fair chance to all those women who want him so badly."

"I will enter whatever contest you are talking about Sedora, even though you tricked me and Daryn into it. However, if I win, then you will without condition allow us to leave," Dawn blurted.

"I vow that," said Sedora. "If you win, I will leave you. It is another thing that you won't win!" She waved her hands off.

The guards prodded her like cattle with their javelins. Her eyes stung as tears once again threatened to roll out. Was Daryn acting to keep her alive or was he actually dazed? She felt nauseated. Which mother would be as vicious as she was? What was the mystery behind all this? There were a thousand questions in her mind. Who would answer them?

"You deserve to burn in the ninth ring of hell Sedora!" said Dawn before leaving.

The guards only prodded her further. By the time she approached the heavy doors of the court, the crowd had begun to fall into a mindless rhythm of dance. Drumbeats sounded and people forgot her.

Along with Brantley and Ileus, she walked out of Norhall Castle. They walked to the south of the city. Dawn looked around her and noticed that there were numerous people who had flocked to the streets. There was a procession going on. People were tossing confetti or glitters or ribbons over a group of women who were proudly walking right in front of them. The guards took her through the group and they reached on the outskirts of an enormous stadium, which had a caged arena. White and gold colored tents circled the stadium. The place looked like one big area of festivity. The guards took her to a tent that was located a little far from the entrance of the stadium. One of them released her from the manacles and pushed her inside roughly. "This is where you will be staying for the time you are going to fight the contest." Saying that he turned to look at Brantley and Ileus and said, "The guest tents are down that side. If you want the elite ones, you have to pay a lot."

Ileus conjured a small bag of gold coins from the air and threw it at the guard. "I will give you one more once the contest is over, but give me the finest." He knew that this kind of bribery wasn't required, since the tents were filled on a first come first served basis, but then these were all sorcerers. They loved gold and they would do anything for it. Corruption was rampant in this land.

Their eyes became wide with greed. "Come this way," he said.

"I want luxury tents near hers."

"That isn't possible because all contestants are going to stay in one place. You can get one that is on the outer periphery because most have already been filled. You people came late…"

"What is the guarantee that she won't be attacked by other contestants?" asked Brantley.

"There are guards all around. Nothing can happen."

"We will meet again," said Ileus and left along with Brantley.

Dawn rubbed her hands after she was freed from the manacles. Once inside, she found an ornate desk and chair. There was a cozy bed with a soft mattress and neat bed sheet. A small rack was full of fruits and cheese and another bigger one contained clothes and armor. A small tub on the left was inviting. There was hot steaming water in it. At first Dawn thought of eating something, then she remembered what Ileus told her, 'don't eat anything." She pursed her lips and instead went to take a hot bath.

Who were those women? Her mind went to the procession, which was led by four women, all of which were dressed in gold from top to bottom. She soaked herself in water for a long time and when she came out, she felt much better. Every now and then her thoughts went to Daryn and she wondered if he would recognize her and they would get out of this place before the completion of the contest. And thinking of Daryn brought tears in her eyes. "I love you baby. Just come to me…" she cried and cried as her body shuddered. When she couldn't cry anymore, she changed into a white gown. Her stomach growled and she was very hungry now. Not able to wait more, she went to the rack to grab food when a knock prevented her from lifting it.

She turned around and to her surprise Brantley was there with a tray of food.