Chapter 3: And a party (Mark I)

Lanterns hung on ropes, illuminating the town square. Musicians played while people gathered. Caden's father set out his donation of meat pies and honey rolls. Thadeus Silverhorn, Erdon's elven mayor, walked up to the table and selected a honey roll. "Evening Caden, how's that boy of yours?"

"Absent minded as ever." Caden's father sighed. "All he ever thinks about are the Dragon Knights. I wish he was more dedicated like your daughter."

"Ha! Samaelus isn't dedicated to anything." Thadeus shakes his heads. "You know how kids are, last decade, she wanted to be a tailor, this decade she wants to be a baker. Next she'll want to be a painter or musician."

"Well, she can stay my apprentice as long as she likes. I might even give her the bakery someday."

"Remember, she may look like an adult." Thadeus put a hand on Caden's father's shoulder. "But she's more of a kid then your boy."

"Sam!" Caden called into her room. "What do you think looks better?" Caden walked into Sam's room holding a red tunic and a blue one.

Sam looked up from her dresser. She's half dressed, yet neither of them notice. "I was thinking that maybe you could wear this one." She pulled out a deep green tunic with silver dragons embroidered on the shoulders.

"Wow, that's perfect, Sam." Caden took the shirt from her. "Where did you get it?"

"I made it." She selected a dress from her wardrobe. "It matches the dress I made for my self."

"I guess I'm lucky you had the extra fabric." Caden walked out the door.

"Caden!" He stopped. "I've been living off the kitchen, and working for your father for a while now."

"Yeah, like 7 harvests."

"Actually, it's been nine," she said. "But that's not important! I was thinking, it's almost your 16th harvest, maybe we don't have to go alone tonight."

"Oh, I won't. Keilee agreed to go with me." Caden holds up the green shirt. "Thanks for your help." Caden heads back to his room.

Caden arrived at the town square with Keilee at his side. She wore a dusty orange dress. They walked to the tables of food and drink. Sir Eric stumbled past them, and drew another mug of shine. Caden looked around and saw the stranger. He was sitting off to the side, watching the party.

"What do you think his problem is?"

"Who?" Keilee asked.

"Sir Eric! All he does is drink and talk bad about his fellow Dragon Knights."

"Dad says he's lucky to be alive."

"Why is that?"

"He was discharged from the Dragon Knights for some injury. He came back here to die, but when he recovered, the king honored his service by granting him some of our land."

"That's what I mean. He should be more grateful."

"Maybe it's what the Dragon Knights do."

"What's that mean?"

"Look around you."

Caden looked around at the gathered people. There were women every where. But the men were older then his father, or his age and younger. Most of the apprentices in the town were women, even the blacksmith was training his own daughter to take over the forge in a few years.

"If the Dragon Knights keep taking away the men," Keilee said, "only to bring them back in boxes..." She shook her head. "This town is going to die soon."

"You starting to sound like Sir Eric. It's an honor when they choose us to join them."

"Maybe, but this town needs more people like you." A tear ran down her cheek. "They want strong men like my brother."

"Hey, I'm strong, and I get stronger everyday."

"The Dragon Knights aren't going to choose you. Everyone sees it, you're the one person we can rely on always coming home."

"You know what, forget it." Caden walked away.

"Caden, wait!" Keilee stood. "I didn't mean it like that."

"I'm going to become one of them, and I'll return a hero."

Chapter 3: Funeral (Mark I)

"And let us praise the heavenly Goddess," Father Coteson of Blackwood raised his hands to the ceiling of the temple. "For while the Dragon Knights lost three of their own, they were able to find three new Knights to join their most holy of quests." Father Coteson dropped his hands in a sweeping motion toward the Stained glass windows depicting the five sages sealing away the Dragon Queen. The cloth of his vestments flowed around him. "Let them be honored and praised, for these are great tidings."

The crowd repeats, "Honored and praised."

"Yet one does not honor the sacrifice of the great sages," Father Coteson said as he folded his hands, "who died on this very spot." He looked out at the gathered faced. "The man who should honor this sacred hour above everyone else, can be found at the bottom of a mug." Father Coteson struck his hand out fast enough for his sleave to snap. It echoed in the silent temple. "Fear not! For I say this now! The heavenly goddess is sending forth a sword this very night! And she shall cut down the wicked and purge our town."

A murmur spread through the crowd.

Father Coteson folded his hands. "Show your devotion. Don't follow in his example. Stay home with your family tonight." He bowed his head. "So is the will of the gentle and merciful goddess."

Everyone in the crowd looked around. A few scattered voices called out, "So is the will."

"Now, let us pray for the dead."

As the temple bells rang, Caden ran to the temple doors. He was the first one there, and held them open for Father Coteson. He smiled. "The goddess will reward you, my son."

Caden continued to hold the door open as the townsfolk drifted out. Father Coteson bid people fair well in the temple garden. Caden watched as everyone left. He grabbed Keilee by the elbow as she walked out with her father.

Harron looked at Caden, and smiled. "Don't worry, m'boy. In two harvests, you'll be able to make this town proud."

Keilee rolled her eyes and looked away.

"I'll do my best, Sir."

Harron mussed Caden's hair. He walked over to speak with Father Coteson. His wife and other four daughters followed him.

"Cay--Den," Keilee smiled, "what do you want?"

"Um." Caden looked at the crowd filing out of the church. "You see. I was wondering."

"Yes?"

"Do you want to go to the town social with me tonight?!" A couple people stopped as they left the temple, they laughed and walked away. Caden's cheeks burned red.

"I don't know." Keilee looked at her sisters. "I think there are a couple of girls who saw you first."

Caden looked at her sisters next to their father. They saw him looking, so turned away and giggled. "They're too young for me."

"The twins are the same age as you."

"I don't want to go with them, I want to go with you."

Keilee smiled. "Why is that?"

"Because. You know... You're the prettiest, and stuff."

"Okay."

"Really?" Caden looked straight into her eyes. She just smiled and nodded.

Chapter 2: Three return, and three depart (Mark I)

        Everyone gathered in the town square. In the center, parked next to the fountain, were the Dragon Knights. Four had large shields that reached from their shoulders to their ankles. The shields bore the Dragon Knight coat of arms, a Serpent, coiled around a sword. It's mouth wide and striking at the tip. Their breast plates shone on top of the black chain mail underneath. The fifth was a general, he wore a red cape with a silver dragon clasp, concealing his armor and weapons.

        The general stepped in front of the crowd. "All able bodied men, over 17 harvests, step forward and line up."

        Men kissed their wives and loved ones as they walked forward. Caden's father left his side to join the line of men. Caden waited in the crowd, then rushed forward to join the line. His father looked down at him.

       "What are you doing?" he asked.

        "I'm joining them."

        "You're too young, now get..."

        "No talking in the ranks," yelled one of the Knights. "You shall remain quite, until such a time as the general speaks to you."

        Caden's father looked down at him, and scowled. Caden smiled and stood straight and rigid.

        The general walked down the row of men, inspecting each one and dismissing him. He stopped in front of Caden's father. "You're too old. You're excused." He returned to the crowd as the general looked down at Caden. "How old are you."

        "17 harvests sir."

        Two swords swept out from under the general's cape. Crossed right above the handle, their edges rested on opposite sides of Caden's neck. "In the Dragon Knights, lying to a general is punishable by immediate execution." Caden swallows. The swords cut into his neck. A trickle of blood ran down his shirt. "Care to answer again?"

        "17 harvests."

        "Good thing you're not a Dragon Knight." The swords disappear under the general's cape. "You're too young. Dismissed."

        "I can fight. I've been..."

        "You got guts kid." The general smiled. "But it takes a lot more then that to survive out there. Go home."

        The general walked down the line, dismissing more men. He accepted two before he reached Damion. He looked at the carved sword under his belt. "What? Are you a kid? Playing with a toy sword?"

        "No, I've been training."

        "Have you now?" The general leaned in close, "And what good will knowing how to swing around a stick do for you?"

        "Try me, and you'll see." Damion smirked at him.

        The general stood up. "Jonas, show this boy why we only train with real swords."

        Jonas stepped forward and drew his sword. Damion did the same. The stared at each other. Finally Jonas charged and attacked. Damion blocked every strike, and pieces of his sword were cut off. Jonas struck at his head. Damion stepped aside and struck his sword against Jonas's. The sword cut off the tip leaving a sharp stake. Damion put his shoulder into the shield and knocked Jonas to the ground. Damion landed on him, pinning him under the shield. He placed the stake at Jonas's neck.

        The general laughed. "Okay, you can come." He turned to the crowd. "Everyone else, you're excused."

        The crowd departed and returned to their lives. Damion waved to Caden as he joined the Knights by their wagon. Harron walked up to his son and shook his hand. "I'm proud of you, boy."

Chapter 2: Bring out your dead (Mark I)

        Caden was walking away from the woodcutter, when he heard the dull clang of an iron bell. He looked down the street and saw everyone stopping their business. With each clang, more people froze and turned away from the street.

        Caden turned away. He didn't need to look when the wagon rolled behind him. He knew who they were, and why they had come. "That's why you should give up your dreams," said Sir Eric. Caden looked up. Sir Eric was walking to the Tavern, in complete disrespect to the dead Dragon Knights of Erdon village being escorted to the Temple. The stranger was following him, leaning on a crutch. He wore a brown poncho with a collar that stood up, covering half of his face. A wide brimmed hat sat on his fiery red hair. Caden had never seen red hair before.

He turned back and lowered his head. He still wanted to join them, and that meant always respecting their traditions. He stood and waited. Listening to the repeating clang. Waiting for it to fade, and eventually stop when they reached the temple. He waited with everyone in town, except for Sir Eric and the stranger.

        As the market returned to normal, Caden ran through the streets to catch up with Sir Eric and the stranger. A hard object struck his ankle. He fell to the ground hard, his face sliding into the dirt. He looked up to see Damion, Harron's eldest. "What was that for?"

        "I need a sparing partner, I don't want to end up like those stiffs at the temple." Damion bounced a wooden sword on his shoulder. It was carved to look like the Dragon Knights' swords, five hands long, straight, single edge, and no handguard. "If I look good enough, maybe the knights will take me with them. And who to look better next to then a scrawny kid."

        "Not now Damion." Caden stood up. "I'm trying to figure out who the stranger is."

       "They're called the Dragon Knights. Maybe you've heard of them? Defenders of the kingdom, slayers of dragons?"

       "Not them." Caden ran off, leaving Damion to stare after him.

        Caden leaned in close to the chimney. He could hear Sir Eric's voice drifting up from his usual table next to the fireplace.

        "... you should tell your people your name is Rilyn. It won't sound as foreign to them," Sir Eric's voice drifted up the chimney.

        "Why are you helping me?" asked Rilyn.

       "I owe it to your family."

        "I don't have a family... not anymore.

       "Trust me, I know all about..."

       "Caden!" yelled his father. "Get down from there. The town is gathering in the square."

        Caden climbed off the roof. He knew one thing, the stranger and Sir Eric wouldn't be gathering.

Chapter 2: The daily grind (Mark I)

        Caden woke up early. His father kicked him in the side. "Come on, boy," he said, "you're in my way." Caden rolled over and crawled away from the stone oven. "Why don't you ever sleep in your own room." He loaded more wood and stoked the fires.

        "It's warmer in the kitchen."

        "Well, get cleaned up. You're going to have deliveries to make."

        Caden stood up and walked outside. He pulled a bucket of water from the well. He washed his face with the cold water, and used the bottom of his shirt to dry off. As he rubbed his face, he remembered the stranger in Sir Eric's boat.

        The morning baking was done by sunrise. Caden returned to the kitchen to pick up the fresh baked goods. His father's apprentice, Sam, handed him two butter rolls for breakfast. "Okay, listen," his father said. "Take the meat pies and honey loaves to the tavern, the..."

        "I know," Caden interupted. "It's the same every morning."

        "Well, I have to tell you again. Valron came by yesterday and said he didn't get his breakfast delivered." His father wiped flour off his hands. "Now, the meat pies..."

        Grumpy old Valron, Caden thought. His apprentice probably brought them to his study and he forgot them in there. Caden looked Sam rolling out the dough. Maybe if he delivered to Sir Eric last, he could meet the stranger.

        "Now after you make the deliveries, go to the market. Get two fish for dinner," Caden cringed at the mention of fish, "and a bushel of potatoes. Oh, and Harron said his daughter was going to be in town today with fresh cream and butter. Don't leave it in the kitchen this time, take it down to the cellar. I also need you to..."

       Keilee is going to be in town! I wonder if she'll go to the town social with me.

       "You got all that?"

       "Yeah, yeah." Caden grabbed the two sacks, swung them over his shoulder, and lifted the large basket under his arm. He walked out the door. Sam looked at him and smiled.

        Caden walked through the town square. Both sacs were empty and rested in the basket next to the oat bread for Sir Eric. The ground around his feet swelled up and engulfed his legs to the knees. "Caden!" yelled Valron. "Where's my breakfast?"

       "I just gave it to your apprentice."

       "It's late," Valron walked up and stood in front of Caden. "I want my breakfast an hour after sunrise."

       "Your manor is on the other side of town." Caden struggled against the earthen embrace. "I have other deliveries before you."

       Valron raised his hand, and the ruby on his ring glowed with fire.

        "Now let me go. I'm not done yet."

       "Your father will hear about this." Valron waved his hand. The earth and stone crumbled away from Caden's legs. Caden ran off.

         Freak. Caden stopped running and looked where the sun was. How long is an hour anyway?

        When Caden got out to Sir Eric's house, he could see movement through Sir Eric's bedroom window. "Sir Eric," Caden called. "I got your order." Caden waited till Sir Eric answered the door. He looked up and saw someone looking out the window.

         Sir Eric opened the door. He had a straight slice across his unshaven cheek. He was holding a rag up to stop the bleeding.

        "How'd you cut yourself?"

        "Shaving." Sir Eric took his bread from the basket. He went back inside. He looked at Caden as he closed the door. "Do you need anything else?"

        Caden moved to see inside. "Well..." I can't ask about the stranger, he'll know I followed him last night.

       "Then go home. I'm busy." Sir Eric closed the door.

        Caden walked away. He looked up and saw the stranger in the shadows of Sir Eric's room.

        When Caden got to the market, he walked past the fishermen. He didn't want to smell like fish when he talked with Keilee. He looked for Harron's stall and ran over to it. Mika, Harron's youngest daughter was working. She was two harvests younger then Caden. She smiled when she saw him.

        "Hey, Mika," said Caden. "Where's Keilee today?"

       "She's helping Mom spin the wool." Mika twisted her toe into the ground. "Hey, Caden, do you..."

        "I'm kind of in a hurry today," Caden interupted. "Can you just give me a stone of butter and a cask of cream?"

        "Sure." Mika turned around and fetched Caden's request.

       Caden took the butter and cream and walked to the fishermen. He looked around the stalls. He knew his father wanted something else, but nothing looked right.

        Caden opened the cellar doors. "Caden, bring the cheese into the kitchen." His father yelled. Caden cringed. He put the butter, cream and fish away, before going into the kitchen.

        "Hey, sorry." Caden said. Sam looked at him. "They didn't have the right kind of cheese today." Sam shook her head and smiled.

        His father scratched his beard. "I'll have to give the Mayor something else then." He threw the dough to Sam. "See if you can make something else with that. So when did the woodcutter say he was coming by?"

       "Woodcutter?" Caden looked at Sam. She cringed and drew a spoon across her neck. "You know... He didn't say. I'll just run back and ask him." Caden ran out the door.

       His father looked at Sam. She started beating the dough with her spoon.

Chapter 1: The fires of the past (Mark I)

   Caden loved to listen to the stories told by Sir Eric. It is possible that he was the only one in town who did. Having only lived for 15 harvests, Caden was not allowed to enter the tavern. Instead he would sit on the roof by the chimney, and listen to the stories drift up with the heat and smoke. Caden knew of Sir Eric's warning against the Dragon Knights. But he truly didn't care.

To him, the Dragon Knights were adventure. Travel to the foreign lands. Protect border towns from the pirates of the Starcia Desert, defend the elves in the east from the troll armies. Most importantly, Caden wanted to fulfill the sacred duty of the Five Sages.

Five millenia ago, the Five sacrificed their own lives to seal the Dragon Queen. Their sacrifice was the birth of their great kingdom, and the Dragon Knights served in their honor to ensure the dragons would never return.

That night, as Caden watched Sir Eric stumble home, he saw the forest near Sir Eric's home glowing with orange-red of a great fire. He climbed down from the roof and followed Sir Eric.

Sir Eric, not nearly drunk as he would like to be, traveled home, so that he might continue his drinking alone. He saw the fire in the forest. On the other side of the river, it wouldn't spread to his land. Yet the red glow of the moon was an omen he couldn't ignore.

He altered his course to take him to his dock and small boat. Caden watched him paddle across the river to investigate the blaze.

***

In the Pyoksan Mountains, the people are wealthy. With the richest mines of gold and iron in the Kingdom, they would never leave their homes. The Dragon Knights would often patrol the passes and valley's of the mountains, to protect the locals from the Starcia Pirates.

Sir Eric would march for days in those mountains, with no warning of when an attack might come. The pirates would fly in on their mechanical dragons, and drop firebombs from the sky. The fire was horrible, hot enough to melt your armor into your skin. Sir Eric is cursed to hear the screams, smell the burning flesh, forever at his side. In the flames of the forest, he saw his friends being consumed.

Yet it is not the flames the pirates would drop that woke him up in the night. It was the prisoners the Dragon Knights would capture. They would be the ones who would haunt his dreams till the day that he died. They were the ones that Sir Eric would try to drown in an endless tide of ale and shine.

***

Caden watched the river for Sir Eric's return. When he came back from the other side, he had someone else in his boat. His body and clothes were burned, and Sir Eric carried him with care. Caden moved in closer, trying to see who the stranger was.

Sir Eric carried him to his homestead, and went inside. Caden returned to town and entered into the Baker's shop. He did his chores, cleaned the kitchen, and went to sleep next to the cooling ovens.

Prologue (Mark I)

"A wind swept across the valley. By the time we got there, everything was gone. Can you still save it, when there is nothing left to save? Do the trees return to salted soil; can fish swim in streams turned red?

"Elves restore life to the forests. Fairies make wild flowers grow as they fly past. God in heaven weeps at such devastation. Hell cries out its triumph, as rocks split under the heat.

"In the middle of the fires and smoke, the remains of the village still burned. Just as we thought nothing survived, we saw children amidst the ash. Kids, still alive, against destruction so complete. Life lives amongst death.

"My men and I rushed down the valley slope. Nothing to stop us, only burning coals marked our path. Our boots kicked up sparks and embers as we passed. Perhaps, we were being hasty. "Que vive, how could the have lived?" asked my men.

"Rigorous training they recieved, our horses still refused to enter the valley. So clear now, that they knew something that we did not. The stench of those who were consumed by the flame was so great; we thought that was what kept the horses at bay. Until it was too late, we thought we were safe.

"Valiant as my men were, we were unprepared for the danger that was waiting amongst the ash. When it rose and emerged from the smoke, we were caught unaware. 'Xactly what it was, I cannot say. Years in the field, I have seen nothing like it, the eyes burning like the fires of hell. Zachery was the first to fall, the rest soon followed; I was the only one to escape the valley alive."

Sir Eric took another drink of his mug. His brow glowed in the light of the grand fire place. Harron sat across the table.

"Sounds like a dragon to me," Harron said. "Isn't that what you were trained to fight."

"This was no dragon. It was a demon from foreign lands."

"Still doesn't concern us." Harron stood, and left his coin on the table. "Nothing like that will ever reach our village."

"Mark my words," Eric said, "if you let your boy join the Dragon Knights, he will suffer this fate, or one far worse."

"Blasphemy. It is an honor to serve the Knights, and carry on the work of the five great sages." Harron left the tavern.

Sir Eric turned to look for another to tell his warnings to, and buy him another drink. No one else wanted to hear his tales. No one would listen to his heresy. Eric stood and stumbled out the door.