Once, dragon fought man in a war called the Scouring…
Berengier woke to the sounds of war. Clambering out of his bed, the grizzled fifty year old rushed to the window of his manse and looked down the mountain where city of Aix lay in its valley.
"So it's begun," Berengier gasped, recoiling from the sudden assault on his senses. A billowing cloud of black smoke filled the pre-dawn sky as the screams of men and women rent the air. The thick, putrid stench of burnt flesh carried by the strong wind was apparent, and the flames rising from the once prosperous city glowed with an intense orange. But most terrifying was not the hell that was on the ground, but the horror that flew in the sky.
Dozens of dragons of all shapes and color wheeled about above the doomed city, swooping down with fierce cries, flames bursting from their jaws to scorch the ground below.
Jerking himself away from the hellish scene, Berengier hurriedly began to tug on his armour. Fingers working with practiced dexterity, he had just finished tying his boots when the door to his private room burst open, revealing a boy no more than fourteen garbed in a cloth shirt and pants.
"Sir Berengier!" the boy cried, out of breath as if he'd been running. "Dragons are attac-"
"Silence, boy!" Berengier shouted, slapping the boy to the ground with his mailed fist. "How dare you barge into my private rooms without invitation?!" The boy picked himself off the floor and kneeled before the enraged knight. His body shook with barely contained fear as the muscular man approached him, fixing him with a harsh gaze. "Now, deliver your report like as a true knight would."
"Yes, father- I mean General Berengier, sir!" Rising from his position on the floor, he took a deep breath, remembering the orders he'd been given. "Dragons have attacked Aix, completely overpowering the garrison. The city lies in ruins, and the remainder of the army stationed at Fort Aetherius awaits your arrival." Report given, he once again kneeled on the floor. The general paced about, oblivious to his son's presence as he digested the information. Finally he stopped before the boy once again.
"I assume you are ready to leave?" Berengier asked. The boy gave a small nod. "Good. Prepare my pegasus, for I will be down shortly." Snapping a sharp salute, the boy rose and headed towards the door. "Hold a moment," Berengier commanded. The boy froze, his hand on the door as he heard his father approach.
"Where is your armor, knight?"
"I-I had to leave it at the base sir. I did not have time to put it on, for I was given strict orders to leave immediately…" his voice trailed off as he saw his father's face contort into rage.
"You worthless fool!" Berengier yelled, punching the boy in the gut. "A knight never leaves without his armor!" he shouted, punctuating each word with yet another blow. Lifting the bruised boy by his shirt, the general shoved him against the wall. "Listen to me, boy," he said, his face inches away from his terrified son's. "You may be of my blood, but you will never, ever be my son!" Throwing the beaten boy to the ground, he stomped out of the room.
The boy winced in pain as he lifted himself of the floor, blood flowing freely from his nose. Wiping his face with his shirt, he stumbled out after his father, knowing he would only be beaten again if he tarried.
A/N: Ok, so I know those were really short, but that was more or less the introduction, they'll get longer as the story goes on. Drop a review and tell me what you think!