The Dragon Prince

[Chaos Creator]

*In ages past, our forefathers told tales of the fabled dragon and their kin. They told us of the Great Flight of the Dragons, when, every 100 years, all dragonkind would band together and wreak havoc on the villages and kingdoms in their path, raining fire and acid, frost and darkness. They, of course told us of the vast treasure troves, and the foolhardy adventurers that dared to search them out. They even told us about the deeply rooted fanaticism over their treasure, and their apparent hatred for the othe intelligent species of the world.
But what they did not tell us was that that hatred of man was due to an intense jealousy. This jealousy stems from the fact that dragons were once the rulers of the world. And then came Man.
Man began to flourish moreso than the dragons could have foreseen, and soon, began hunting the dragons for their scales, teeth, horns, and various organs... Not to mention the kingly treasures that were always under the watchful eye of their owners.
After a millenia of being hunted, the dragons Departed, much like many of the elves would do a short time later. Dragonkind hid themselves in the most inhospitable places on the planets, many even Departing to other Realms. And there they have slept for many hundreds of years, slumbering the sleep of an immortal creature, not bound to the laws of time.

But there is yet another thing they did not tell us...

It is said that there will come a time when the dragons will awaken, called from their comatose states by some unknown force or creature, and crown a new Dragon Prince, one who will unite the great beasts and begin reclaiming the world as their own.

This was the speech Shadow had given to the leaders of DG after informing them of a dragon being spotted flying high above one of the northern-most villages. The village, called Lassick, lay at the base of the Father-Sky Mountain range, a forbidding and frozen, rocky, 14,000 foot range that had daunted many heroes.
The dragon had reportedly flown three lazy circles above Lassick, and then flew eastward.*

This is the second account of a sighting in three weeks. I believe we should take a pre-emptive stance on this situation, by sending a group to the Father-Sky Mountains to investigate further.

[AntonyJC]

*AnthonyJC, being himself and listening in on the secret conversation, finally emerges from the hall way. The leaders do not seem shocked at all, but Shadow is horrified that a non leader knows about the sightings. But, the leaders reassure that JC will be part of the group sent out to slay the fiend."

"I accept with honor the right to fight for the Demon Guardians" JC says with loyalty.

*Shadow is now relieved seeing that JC is a warrior and is part of the group that is going to slay the dragon. JC walks over to Shadow and stands behind him as to signal to him that he is ready to fight and will obey every command.*

[SForce]

*SForce eyes Shadow from his seat. He is directly in front of him, as if this speech was for him to hear. Their eyes locked, Shadow was serious about this Dragon Prince. He gripped sights with him for a short while, then released the tension, looking around at the other leaders of the Demon Guardain stronghold. The leaders look unpleased at this speech, as if this were nothing to worry about, nothing that would concern them or the stronghold. But SForce wasn't like them, he never took part in these council meetings. He had founded DG but took his place amongst the people, unknown to most that he was at such a high rank. He had passed the leadership role over years ago and was now just a general overseer to the fortress.*

*SForce however was intregued with this scenerio. Dragons were never common in these areas, or in any area for that matter. His speech brough forth a valid point that couldn't just be sweeped away, untouched. Seeing his friend stand behind this stranger was another sign to him, that maybe this was the time for the Dragon Prince to take Earth back over. Then again he was a dwarf, he acted on quick judgement and spurr of the moment fun, never on wits.*

*But with this SForce stood. The fellow leaders watched him stand, they knew his stance in upon everyone, he may not be the leader but his opinion was still held high amongst them all. Some of them started whispering as the elf took a few moments to view the situation.*

"Dwarf, you will be joining this man in his quest to dispatch a unit to the northern Father-Sky Mountains?" SForce said echoing to the dwarf. Everything was silent now, everyone was listening intensely to what SForce had to say. Was he shooting this plan down? Was he going to mock the dwarfs decision? "I respect your decision my friend, it is very noble of you to offer your services to this cause. But you have not been granted permission to persue this quest of yours. Have you not forgotten to ask before doing so? This is besides the point though."

*SForce not turns and directs his attention to the man standing at the center of the floor.*

"Shadow. Your cause is very honorable and very keen. You have noticed possible danger and are acting upon it. For that, i respect your sudden and dire request to speak to the Demon Guardian leaders. Your speech was good, you didn't disapoint us, and I am glad I came to attend this meeting."

"With that being said..." SForce pauses for a moment and looks at Shadow, studying his figure, his stature. "I support your cause for sending a dispatch to the norther Father-Sky Mountains. You have my bow and swords as well as the dwarf's axe at your side."

*The leaders look stunned. They stare blankly at SForce, not knowing what to expect. What just happened? Confusion is printed on their faces and they start to whisper loudly to each other in disbelief of SForces responce. How could he support such a cause that has no proven facts behind it? But SForce doesn't need facts. From what he observed and from how Shadow spoke he believed there was a potential problem on DG's hands and it must be dealt with accordingly.*

*SForce hops down from his seat and walks up to Shadow. Passing by with nothing more than a glance.*

"Come Shadow, tell me more about this Dragon Prince. What do you know or expect?" By this time SForce was a good ten feet past the two.

[Raistlin]

~The council was in an uproar. They had no idea why things were moving in this direction, but there was only one thing left to do. They all turned their sight to the head of the table. There sat the Clan Leader. Raistlin was in deep thought. His eyes were aimed down. As SF headed for the doors Raistlin swatted his hand at them. The doors crashed shut keeping SForce from leaving. The council members jumped at the crashing sound.~

"Not so fast, elf. A dispatch to the mountains is not your call. If you haven't forgotten there are giants living up there. If they see attackers heading up their mountain pass they will take it as a strike against them. Without concrete proof I will not authorize this."

~The council members listened to this and nodded their heads in agreement. Raistlin stood up and advanced to the center of the room.~

"Sorry, SForce. Maybe when you were clan leader you jumped at everything that came across the table. Nowadays we have to do things politically."

~Raist looked around the room. SF and Shadow turned their eyes to him as well.~

"Fortunately I happen to have the ability to get the undisputed truth. Especially when it comes to dragons. You see I know of the story Shadow tells. I have extensive knowledge of those times and even have some relics of that time line."

~Reaching inside his robes Raist withdrew a small pouch. He waved his hand over the center of the room and a pedestal grew from the marble floor. It twisted and contorted till it was chest high. The top was bowl shaped. From the pouch Raist brought out a small black orb. As he set it on the pedestal it grew to fit the bowl.~

"This here is a dragon orb. Through it I'll see where dragons are around here and how many."

~Placing his hands on the orb he recited a spell and nearly collapsed. His aids ran to his side, but he called them back. Fighting the sensation to fall over Raistlin stood straight up and focused on the orb harder. Soon after he was able to relax. His eyes changed shape.~

"I'm seeing through the eyes of a dragon now..... Yes, they are in the mountains. It's looking around....... A village. It was just recently destroyed. Some bodies...... Giants. They've killed the giants in the mountains. Wait a minute...... It's looking down."

~Raist gasps.~

"I see three more. Different colors. Hold on. I'm gonna try to hear what it's saying to them...... Night fall tomarrow we raid the castle...... Damn it. He's looking right at the Demon Guardians castle."

~The council was panicked now. leaders were jumping from their seats.~

"Silence!!"

~The council settles. They take their seats again and wait for the next command. Raist releases his grip from the dragon orb. Quickly he puts the orb back in it's pouch where it shrinks back down to size. Raist leans on his staff and gets to the table.~

"I will send a dispatch to Morge in the armory right away. I will have him get 20 of the best soldiers we have. This threat will be dealt with. They will see why we are the dominate species on this planet. Now and forever. I, regretfully, must stay behind and rest. This ordeal has taken a lot outta me."

[AntonyJC]

*JC, who was walking out with SForce and Shadow, has stopped in his tracks a little confused but also very very catious. he knows that his size and stature he cannot alone defeat a dragon, but with the help of shadow and SForce's bow there is certinity that the dragons would be slayed.*

"Raistlin, if there is anything you need from me, i will be in my quarters. I hope for this dragon problem to be over as soon as it could be"

*the dwarf goes out and up into his quarters*

[Chaos Creator]

*Shadow nodded, a look of foreboding passing over his face as Raist recounted what he saw through the dragon's view. He had feared as much. He turned to address Raist.*

With all due respect, sir, I don't think 20 men will be enough. We know of four dragons. That means there at least 6 that we do not see, hidden away in the mountains as reinforcements.

*Shadow straightened to his full height, fully aware of the possible ramifications of his next words.*

We will need at least 80 men.

[SForce]

"So mage....do you see why I acted upon this daunting task?" SForce says in a mocking manner. "Sometimes politics comes second to such feelings and urges." SForce started laughing at his own comment. He was right with trusting Shadow and he was ready to let the council know that.

"Is that proof enough for you!" SForce shouted directing his attention to the other council members. "There is a problem at hand and we must act quickly!" SForce cools down and looks to his leader. "Mage, my friend, let Morge know he needs to defend this castle with the men. I however am going to the mountains where they reside, if not only to just scout ahead. Shadow was correct so far with his statements, and if four are going to attack the fortress, then six still bestow themselves deep within the moutains. And with that I will make haste to find what we will be dealing with."

*SForce grins again*

"Do not contest me on this judgement. I was right in trusting him before and you dare mock me in front of the council. I will trust this judgement that there are six more and will act upon it, not politically, but with a sense that maybe you do not possess."

*His words were harsh towards the council. The mage was right in taking precautioun to this situation. Could have been just a ploy sent by a some rival stronghold, but this isn't the case. Shadow was a Demon Guardian and he was askin for help.*

*Without anymore hesitation SForce swings the doors open, no long held by the mages spell and walks down the long marble hall and out the doors. He shouted one last thing outside, loud enough so it echoed like thunder in the halls.*

"Come JC, I will need your axe on my quest"

[Chaos Creator]

*bowing quickly to Raist, he turned on a heel and followed SF out of the council hall. That had almost gone south, and Shadow filed away the entire meeting for future reflection. As he hastened down the corridor, he thought of the legend of the Dragon Prince. This awakened Drake supposedly was one dragon that had been formed from the bodies of two dead dragons. The tale went that the two most powerful dragons at the time of the Departing would sacrifice themselves, and the lesser dragons would then perform some arcane ritual that would combine the two dead leviathans' spirits into one new corporeal form. He knew not the identities of the two that would give themselves to their cause, nor did he know the details of the ritual that would bring about the beginning of the end, but Shadow did know one thing. He knew that they must act quickly to avoid mass casualties and the possible annihilation of all sentient life...
He made his way toward his own quarters, pausing therein only long enough to strap on his assortment of gear and weapons before he made his way down to the stables where he would wait for the others headed to the Father-Sky Mountains.*

[AntonyJC]

*JC follows the command of his long time friend. as they leave the council shows faces of both bewilderment and courage for SForce and JC*

[SForce]

*SForce moved quickly to his post. His movements were unethical of him, the long quick strides he took reminded him of his battle posture. And this...this was mearly a mortal walking to his post. Something was amiss inside of SForce, he knew a problem was ahead, he saw it for himself when Raistlin brought forth the black orb.*

*His bow was safely fastened to his back, and a quiver was thrown over his shoulder. By his sides were his two broad swords his father gave him. He cloacked his head in the broad daylight, peering to the left and right without moving his eyes and swiftly moved towards the stables. His galant horse was needed, not often, but this occasion called from such measures.*

*Qucikly he arrived at the stables, not far from the hall. He saddled up his horse, stroking his soft skin atop his head, talking silently explaining how dire this situation was and he needed the best out of him. Preparations were being made around the horse as he waited for his dwarvan friend. But SForce wasn't alone. Someone else, a figure, sit inside the stable with him.*

[AntonyJC]

*JC, in his quarters, gathering up his gear. his dwarf shield and his dwarf axe which was handed down from generation to generation. He also changed his cloak from the greenish one he has one to a brown one. For the camo that he would be needing in the mountians. he goes back down stairs.*

"Where has SForce gone?" ask JC

"he has gone to the stables, for his horse" answers the guard at the door

*JC rushes as fast as he could to the stables where SForce's horse is held an he sees SForce clearly and behind him he sees a mysterious figure.*

[Chaos Creator]

*Shadow quickly blanketed and saddled his steed, a huge black behemoth of a horse, given to him by his now dead wife. He leaned into the stirrup and flung himself up onto the beast's back. He goaded the horse forward with his heels and rode up beside SF.*

We face grim odds, my friend...

[SForce]

*SForce glanced up at the figure on the house. He spoke decilate and smooth, just as he did during his speech. He was right though, almost certain actually, this man was as innocent as he was....well to us atleast. He took another look at him and hopped on his horse and stood mounted next to him.*

"So....Shadow....tell me about this Dragon Prince....what do you know? What are we to do? I've bestowed my trust in you, do not make me look like a fool in front of the council, they will never allow me back. You better be right with which you speak."

[AntonyJC]

*JC who doesnt have a horse takes a gander into the stables left and right of the one he is in and takes one. He adjusts the horses saddle to his height. He screams up to the other two*

"Mates, wait up! Shadow can we go over the dragons agian as we make our ascent to the mountains. And also SForce thank you for coming with Shadow and I"

*Shadow starts to converse with SFirce about the serverity that Riast had not seen*

[Chaos Creator]

Indeed. Let us hold palaver as we ride. Time grows shorter.

*With that, he kicked his horse into motion, racing out of the stable and through the still-open gates of the castle. Once outside, he slowed his mount's gait to allow the others to catch up.*

The dragons are a proud breed. And a lot of the time it is this pride that brings about their downfall.
The truth is that I know very little more of the legend. And I'm not sure that anyone else does, either. But I do know that there will be many signs to follow once we reach the mountains. Drakes are not exactly subtle creatures. I figure there will be a trail of destruction all the way back to their lair...