Tame That Dragon (U/C)

[CaptainXXMorgan]

Walking along the path up to an open field, the clouds up above growing dimmer and dimmer until you reached the top of the hill to look down upon the castle, stone building. A grim feeling crossed , a sinking feeling even and the march towards the stone structure continued. It seemed abandoned, worn and torn, but oddly clean as if fire never struck the land it lied upon. Time came as the large doors up front slowly opened, as if it was expecting the company of, yet, another dragon slayer. Walking in slowly, shield up with a hand on the hilt of the sword and it's noticed that with in the stone walls it wasn't empty. A human walked across with a tray on his right hand, glancing towards the visitor with the shield raised in fear and the servant's clothes were noticed instantly. He wasn't the only servant it seemed, women and men alike they walked about the castle and the the dragon slayer finds himself baffled at the sight. The flame of the torches that hung on the walls grew and the spiral staircase emitted slow, loud stepping noises. Gazing up, he saw that of a regal looking female walk about and a ghastly smile upon her, and as she got closer to the bottom of the steps he noticed her ill-human like appearance, the bright eyes and sharp teeth with in that twisted smile. She spoke, it was calm and well graced, but the words didn't match."I see you're here for me...please, follow me so we can get started." and so the dragon slayer walked further into the dragon's layer.

 

[CaptainXXMorgan]

History

It was many ago that dragons roamed the world, not a dominant species, but never to be underestimated if not feared. Some worshiped them, others just plain avoid them. There were the few humans that stood before them though, wanting to be on equal grounds and proved themselves through great measures to do so. The people of the dragon lived along side each other in partnership, and it was that was for the longest. That is, until the humans began to multiply by the thousands. Kingdoms and towns were built, forests cut down to make more room. Many creatures of the forests were pushed back, and creatures of the dark pushed further. The people of the dragon soon spread, some moved with the dragons and others moved away. The dragons refused to move for the humans, but in the end some dragons moved and others were defeated by the very people they trusted. The dragons went further into hiding, some keeping a solitude from everything and everyone. As time passed, the blood of the people of the dragon remained with in some humans and some remained pure descendants. One by one, dragons were hunted down for honor and glory or for fear of the dragon resting in it's layer. The dragons were slowly being wiped out and in so the dragons moved to fight back, gathering together to rid the larger kingdoms and the people with in. After the war between kingdoms and dragons, things became peaceful and quiet. Humans rarely saw any dragon, some believed they were simply extinct, but they couldn't be for sure. Dragons only hoped that the people of the dragon were wiped away completely as well. Time moved on, but that didn't stop one dragon from getting her own revenge. Years of studying and training, she was awaiting to put her plan into action.

The Dragon

She was bitter and angry, as always though most that watched her would guess she enjoyed what she did. In fact, it was her only pleasure. Her kind was extinct, her family was long gone thanks to their foolery of trusting another kind so closely. She locked herself deep in a forest castle and waited. During her wait, she trained herself until the right moment hit. Two kingdoms near by began to wage war, and so it was a chance to make both kingdoms fall and wipe them out. Not only that, but a chance to locate and bring those to her. Knights, heroes, mercenaries, assassins, even thieves. She wanted to bring them all, any of them and anyone especially if they held any remaining blood of the people of the dragon. She sent out invitations to both kings of the kingdoms with a challenge for them and a great prize.

"Send your best man, if he shall win my favor then my loyalty is to your kingdom. Follow the path in the forest until you come upon the largest oak tree. Present this letter before it and you shall find me, the challenger. The challenge is a duel, be prepared."

And so the task was performed. The Kingdom of Ithral sent their knight to see what was about and went alone for his own honor. When he entered the dragon's layer, he was baffled that he came to challenge a woman in a dress. When he found the truth of the dragon, he was out matched by far and with no desire to give he was vanquished. The Kingdom of Shal sent in four mercenaries to find a similar fate though they submitted to her power. They became her servants, loyal or not. With each failure, the letter was sent again, and it disturbed both kingdoms. The war continued though, and Shal had a big lead over Ithral. Times were getting hard for Ithral, they needed information of this letter if they were to win the war. Shal was furious with this challenge, feeling tricked, they weren't to send their warriors and lose their army to whatever sorcery it was. They ignored it for the long while, until they realized their enemy was still fiercely trying to win the challenge. Shal grew worried at Ithral's determination, and so they sent assassins and slayers of many kind to take the beast down. The dragon gladly accepted all the challenge, and took prisoner of those that submitted if not kill them. For those that entered her layer, it was a true nightmare. One prisoner, after many years, has managed to send a message to Ithral. Ithral was in shock, and was more determined than ever as word got out about the dragon in the layer. Time was of the essence and the dragon would not be aware of what was to come.

The People of the Dragon

One from Ithral and one from Shal, but have set out for the dragon. Ithral is to warn the dragon of Shal's plan. Shal was aware of the history, and searched desperately for one with the proper blood, any body really that had a drop of blood in their body, that held the ancestors of the people of the dragon. Long ago it was said that the people who became close and walked along side with the dragons were given a gift, as well as a curse. With their blood may they cooperate with their dragon of choice, a bond to be built and along with it the strength of a dragon. The only non-dragon creatures absolutely capable ,without doubt, of taking the life of a dragon. Both Ithral's and Shal's warriors approach for their claim, whether it's the her or her life. Both warriors descendents from people of the dragon, neither pure blood, and both with hope.