So this is the start of my Kilgharrah story. It is my version of how the great, golden one came to be the last of his kind and how he was betrayed and caged. I own every dragon character except Kilgharrah himself as well as some of the human characters.

Chapter 1- Slaughter

The news of the queen's passing spread through the kingdom like wildfire, reaching the ears of the dragons within a matter of days. They did not expect what was to come. Why should they?

The humans had never bothered them, in their rocky mountain, and only a few out of order dragons had ever attacked the humans. They did not expect the knights to attack them in the dead of night, when most of them were slumbering peacefully.

They did not expect to be awoken to the sounds of their kin screaming with their last breath. They did not expect to see the flash of blades in the moonlight as they were slaughtered. They were not prepared.

Kilgharrah was one of the first to wake. His mate, Anreia was already on her feet, ebony scales blending with the shadows of the cave. Outside, Kilgharrah could see some of the other dragons taking to the skies- fleeing from the danger of the humans.

"We need to go" Kilgharrah said in his deep voice, getting to his feet. He nudged Anreia gently, pushing her in the direction of the exit. She nodded and headed in that direction, lifting her wings to get ready for flight.

Then suddenly there was a glint of silver and Anreia cried out in pain. She backed up, lifting one of her scaled legs as blood dripped to the stone floor.

Kilgharrah roared loudly, his ferocity echoing through the tunnels. He took a step forward to protect his mate, snapping at the knight. The skilled knight dodged to the ground, managing to get out of the way before he was caught in the dragon's powerful jaws. The human swung his sword at Kilgharrah but the dragon caught it on his claws before it caused any real damage. One swipe of his powerful foot and the blade was knocked from the knight's hands.

The knight swore in the human language and backed up, trying to get away from Kilgharrah. The golden-eyed dragon was not about to let the savage get away that easily. He roared again, louder this time, and lunged forward; capturing the human in his jaws.

He raised the knight into the air and shook him, much like a dog. The knight cried out in pain and struggled before going limp as a crack sounded through the night, dead.

Kilgharrah let the corpse fall from his grasp and turned back to Anreia. He nuzzled her gently before repeating, "We need to go." Anreia nodded and exited the cave, opening her wings wide. She leapt off the ledge of the cave and into the air, Kilgharrah quickly followed suit.

Once they were in the air, Kilgharrah looked back at the mountain that had been their home. Fires burned through the trees, engulfing all in their path. The sounds of his friends could be heard, even from that distance.

Dragon corpses were spread around the rocks, strewn in all sorts of places. Kilgharrah did not study the bodies for long. He did not want to recognize any of them, he did not want to see the bodies of those he loved.

Dragons were fighting ever on against the knights. Kilgharrah watched as a small, emerald dragon battled three at once- even with a heavy wing injury. Kilgharrah knew he could not help the young dragon, he would not be able to fly and Kilgharrah would most likely die as well.

He looked away from the scene and instead to where they were heading. They had nowhere else so they would have to find a place to hide.

"Anreia, my love?" he asked as he looked at his beauteous mate. "Perhaps we should split off from the others? Then we'll be less at risk."

Anreia shook her head. "I wish to see who is still left standing, and then I will know who I must mourn."

Kilgharrah nodded in understanding and set off towards an unknown destination with the other of the remaining dragons.