A Recipe of Darkness and Sirens

I looked over the recent quest scroll that the tavern owner handed me. I held the small scroll in one hand as I sipped my ale I'm the other. The scroll mentioned a crystal in a mysterious location which was guarded by a clan of sirens. It also mentioned those who journeyed to the location never returned. The Queen really wants that crystal. I thought to myself. I wasn't fond of disturbing the aquatic creatures. It wasn't really because they led people to their deaths with their voice. I was sure they did that for a reason. "Josie, we should do it. It'll be fun~" I heard my partner, Viola Hazelwood-a werewolf in her humanoid from-whisper softly before taking a bite of her venison chop as she read along with me her snow white tail wagging softly. I thought a moment. "Maybe. We'll need more information about it. Just to be safe." I told her. I wasn't sure I wanted to enable the queen's greed. I tucked a lock of my dark brown hair behind my slightly pointed ear as I scanned over the scroll again until a stern but calming voice spoke from behind us. "You would need to go see the archmage of the palace for that." We turned to see an amazonian like woman with a great sword beside her against the wall. I noted the few features. Her eyes were piercing us both. I sensed no harm-at least not towards us- from her but we kept our guard up. We were wary of strangers since childhood. The warrior spoke again. "And you would need more than the two of you. If you wish to return." It took me a moment to reply. Viola was a little more guarded than I. "And I suppose you would like to come along?" The woman nodded slightly as she chuckled softly. "Yes. I wish to tag along." I held Viola's hand gently. "How about introductions first. I am Josephine Dragun. And this is, my partner, Viola Hazelwood. I apologize if we're wary." The woman looked at us with a soft look. She definitely knew. "Name's Valencia Hallowes." I nodded slightly as Viola slowly relaxed as she nodded in agreement. After introducing ourselves, we got to know each other. We finished our food and drinks then left the tavern and headed to the palace. As we walked we learned that Valencia was like us. She once had a partner. She told she died from illness. We left it at that and changed the subject, due to the sorrow in Valencia's eyes, which she appreciated. We reached the palace and headed inside. The Queen of Frostford, Queen Evelyn Faye, greeted us with a nod and told her guards to let us be, we returned the greeting as we entered the archmage's quarters. Once in the room, which was dimly lit with an assortment of potions and poisons along with a variety of spell books, enchantments, and various magical items. The archmage, Thrador Warthford, was working on a potion. He stopped as he heard of approaching. "Greetings, my dears. How may I be of assistance?" Thrador spoke softly as he put the glass vial down as a floral aroma lingered in the air. I held up the scroll as I spoke softly. "Yes. We need more information about this stone.The Weeping Crystal." Thrador looked at me with a seriousness in his tired eyes. "What do you need to know?" "Everything." Viola replied. He nodded slightly as he went toward the many bookshelves and grabbed a dark covered book, an ominous feeling came from it.The book had several seals and sigils on it, for protection I presumed. He handed the book to me. "That crystal has another name. The Ghost Dragon Heart. It is said that the ancient guardians of the Singing Abyss slain a dragon in order to take her heart make it into the stone. The chest it's encased in is enchanted and is deep in water.Please take care with the book and your journey." I nodded slightly as I held the book and gently put it in my knapsack. We said our farewells as we headed out the palace then out of Frostford into the snowy landscape. We followed the map, Valencia holding it, as I started to read through the book. It had various sigils inside as well. But it also held so much more information on not only the stone but the dragon it came from and the clan who guard it. It said the chest was enchanted to the point you couldn't see it with the naked eye. The guardians are also impossible to see. In that deep of water. However they glow vividly if one knows what to look for. I put the book back as we walked. I figured I could read more once we had set up camp. I may borrow this book a bit longer than needed. I thought to myself as she trekked through the ever changing climate. From Frostford to Everspring Meadow. From snowfall to budding and blooming flora and various other plants. I made sure to collect some ingredients for potion. We were running short. I believed we'd reach out destination in a few days. Maybe weeks? I was too sure yet.