The Mountain Castle and the Hidden Treasure – Chapter 1: Glitter in the Pines

The castle halls felt emptier than usual that morning. Mila stood in the grand vestibule, her brow furrowed. Elsa stepped in beside her, clutching the velvet pouch they’d found discarded on the cold stone floor. It was empty.

"It’s gone," Elsa whispered. Her voice quivered with disbelief. "The sapphire heart."

They followed the glitter, through the winding corridor and out into the pale morning air. The trail shimmered across the castle lawn, over frost-damp grass, and vanished into the tangled shadows of the mountain forest.

Mila knelt, brushing her fingers over a scattering of sparkling dust. The faintest trail led away from the velvet pouch, twinkling with unnatural brilliance in the slanting sunlight.

A sudden flash sparked between the roots ahead. Mila gasped as something tiny darted from behind a boulder, trailing a plume of red-gold feathers. It was a bird—no, not quite a bird. Flames licked its wings, and its eyes glowed like burning embers.

"Look at this," Mila murmured, and Elsa crouched beside her. The two girls exchanged a glance—a shared current of worry and curiosity. Who could have stolen the treasure? And why would they leave behind such a curious trail?

The phoenix hopped closer on delicate talons, lowering its voice. "The dragon’s been restless. Mischief in his eyes. He loves a good riddle—and shinies."

They followed the glitter, through the winding corridor and out into the pale morning air. The trail shimmered across the castle lawn, over frost-damp grass, and vanished into the tangled shadows of the mountain forest.

Ahead, the glitter trail twisted deeper into the pines, where the shadows thickened and the promise of riddles—and danger—waited among the roots. Mila took a shaky breath, wondering what tricks and truths the mountain held.

The pines loomed, tall and silent. Their needles caught the morning light, painting the ground in dapples. Mila hesitated at the forest edge, feeling the steady thud of her heart. Elsa’s hand found hers—warm, reassuring.

"We have to try," Elsa said, determination flickering in her eyes.

They pressed into the undergrowth, following each sparkling footprint between mossy roots and fern curls. Birds scattered overhead. The air grew cool and thick with the scent of pine and earth. Every step seemed to draw them deeper into mystery.

A sudden flash sparked between the roots ahead. Mila gasped as something tiny darted from behind a boulder, trailing a plume of red-gold feathers.

It was a bird—no, not quite a bird. Flames licked its wings, and its eyes glowed like burning embers. The creature cocked its head, regarding them with mischievous intelligence.

"Lost something shiny, have you?" it chirped, voice tinkling like windchimes.

Elsa blinked in astonishment. "You can talk?"

The little phoenix fluffed itself, sending tiny sparks skittering across the moss. "Of course I can. But you’re looking for something important."

Mila knelt, trying to keep her voice steady. "Did you see who took it?"

The phoenix hopped closer on delicate talons, lowering its voice. "The dragon’s been restless. Mischief in his eyes. He loves a good riddle—and shinies."

Elsa glanced at Mila, her nerves warring with a growing sense of adventure. "A dragon took the sapphire heart?"

The phoenix’s eyes glittered. "He left more than footprints. If you’re brave, follow the trail. But beware—he likes to play games."

A cold gust stirred the needles overhead. Mila’s resolve hardened. She squeezed Elsa’s hand, emboldened by the strange little guide.

Ahead, the glitter trail twisted deeper into the pines, where the shadows thickened and the promise of riddles—and danger—waited among the roots. Mila took a shaky breath, wondering what tricks and truths the mountain held.

Would they find the dragon, or would the dragon find them first?