Chapter 2 – Camalar
Above the largest mountain of Eurobania is a massive city carved above the peak called Camalar. The city itself reflects a bright gothic architecture rivalling Spirit. Statues of what looks like dragons are carved around the streets reflecting the inhabitants themselves.
The inhabitants are not human but dragons. Mane styles, wings, horns, tail blades, scales hides, you name it. The dragons seem to have developed new lighting technology in the form of focus crystals as light bulbs or batteries. Some even where the crystals like an amulet reserved for the nobility.
The dragons themselves are mostly tending the shop keep, crossing the streets, flying around tall building to tall building, or simply chilling around. It is just another normal day. Unless you live in the grand palace reserved for the mighty Dragon king, the ruler of the dragons in Eurobania at least.
In the grand majestic palace is a large golden dragon with a bright white mane brushed back and underside. He wears a gold trimmed red cape, a glowing white amulet, and a golden crown on his head. He is Arthurous, or Arthur for short.
Arthur is the current king of the dragons in Eurobania. He is currently trying to find the throne to disscuss the matter about isolating themselves from human society below. For years the dragons of Eurobania kept distance from human kind ever since an ancient war long ago. A war that is so devastating, they need to rebuild their numbers. To do so they have to stay away from human affairs in order to not risk unnecessary conflict. Now they live in cities built on mountains or cities built to float in the sky. Some also prefer to hide in cave networks as long they avoid human contact.
The only time dragons are allowed to leave the settlements is to travel to buy supplies from the humans below or above. Only a few dragons know how to shift to human form as a means to blend in.
Today Arthur is trying to find the throne room in order to disscuse the matter. He approaches a pair of large stone doors guarded by two guards giving their king salutes with their wings since their paws are occupied standing on the floor. The doors open to reveal a large circular room with a big table in the middle.
Turns out the throne room is actually the chambers of 'The roundtable'. The Roundtable is a council of mighty dragon knights of great renown. They are leaders of the dragon settlements representing them. The roundtable knights themselves greet their leader as Arthur makes his way to his golden throne. Upon sitting on his throne, the other round table knights follow suit sitting on their seats. With a few coughs Arthur speaks,
"My loyal knights! Long ago as the stories of old go. We all know of a time that both dragon and human kind were created by the mighty maker of world to live in peace and harmony in accordance to his will. However, not all dragons were interested in peace.
"Some dragons were more interested in world domination and enslaved humanity to do their bidding, turning their backs on the maker. They were led by the most vile dragon sorceress to ever live. Necramonia. To defeat Necramonia, our ancestors gave the humans of Eurobania a gift to fight back against the dark armies of Necramonia. It is the power to harness magic as we do. Just as the Maker wanted.
"Eventually we prevailed but the cost of the war was great. Many humans lost faith in us dragons fearing that we will turn evil. We did not want to fight humans knowing of their ignorance and fear. Instead, we dragons decided to flee the main grounds of the Eurobania to establish havens for us dragons in order to rebuild our numbers without harming humans until they are ready.
"Forgive my interruption your majesty" a male green dragon of middle to old age wearing an emerald chest plate spoke up earning the attention of all dragons present. "As much as I adore hearing your stories but we would like to know what this meeting is about?"
"I am getting there sir Radagast," Arthur humors with a chuckle. "Today gentle drakes, I have been getting notes that not only we seem to be overpopulating within our settlements meaning we need to start resettling into the main ground. However there is good news! Our hidden agents have also got reports that the human race, at least in Soul might be ready for us to start reconnecting and preach our voices for the Maker once again!"
Arthur proudly spread his wings as the mighty table knights cheered for the news. That is until the doors burst open.
"WHO DARE INTURRUPT THIS MEETING!?" Arthur booms as the knights get into battle positions and drew their weapons.
The dragon who opens the doors is a black scaled she dragon with the familiar dark purple eyes, padded underbelly, hunter green mane and wing membrane, and a pair of long thin horns sticking out upwards. She is also wearing what looks like a black cloak that hides her curvaceous figure swaying her hips as she trots in. Behind her are the guards who guarding the doors following her with their spears pointed "I do apologize your majesty but I must add something to this meeting of yours." The mystery she dragon speaks with a sinister tone of a young witch.
The dragons only stared at her on guard. The way the stare at her imply they know who she is and did not trust her. The King however reluctantly says, "and what sort of news that you want to add?" with an arm wave.
"I am glad you asked. Overhearing about your little plan for our kind to return to the main ground might not be a good idea" The mystery dragoness explains as she circles around the room.
"And why is that?" one of the knights, an orange one demands.
"I have managed to travel down there to hear such terrible rumors that one of our own is causing some trouble."
The round table dragons mutter to each other trying to make sense what she just said. Arthur can only give her a glare, skeptical of such information. The mystery lady only grins bigger.
"Don't believe me? Look at this," the mystery dragoness takes out an old parchment and gives it to the dragon king for him to read. The Parchment is a newsletter from 'the nosy Pixie' that reads about a certain red dragon going around vandalizing human villages in rage.
The king is in shock. A part of him does not want to believe it. What kind of a heartless dragon would dare bring harm to humans. Never since the dark ages of Necramonia.
"Where did you get this?" Arthur demands.
"I got it from Spirit. The supposed capital of the Kingdom of Soul hmm?" The mystery She dragon gives the king a smirk on her face with her arms crossed.
"If what she says is true, this roque dragon is going to ruin everything we planned!" one of the knights claims in panic.
"What should we do?" another questions.
The king takes a moment to think. He could not find himself to harm a fellow dragon even if one is a roque. Whoever this roque dragon is, he must be stopped by any means without harm.
(Ignus POV)
The sun rises. Ignus slowly walks out of his cave with a big yawn and make some stretches with his arms and wings. Desperate for breakfeast, he spread out his wings and launches himself into the air. Doing so will help him find food. He picks up a scent with nose. He slurps his tonque knowing the scent. It is a flock of cows.
Cows are one of the common source of food he finds. When he is not having cow, he would eat a deer or some other non-sentient creature in his forest home. With one big flap with his wings, he zooms through the sky.
A distance a pair of two dragons in armor where watching Ignus behind a wall of trees. After seeing him leave the cave and fly away, one of the dragons whispers, "is he the one? The roque dragon?"
"I bet he is," the other dragon answers still standing in place. "And by the maker, he looks very young."
After a brief silence the guard dragon says, "No matter, King Arthur is counting on us to capture the rogue dragon before he causes more trouble."
"Should we go after him?" dragon guard 2 questions. Dragon guard 1 however declines, believing it will only draw attention. Instead they decide to search the cave as they wait.
()
While he flies through skies bellow the green grasslands of Soul, Ignus thinks about what he is going to after breakfeast. The usual routine is to bathe at a waterfall, read a book, conduct experiments for fun, take care of his garden, or maybe he feels like exploring around Eurobania hoping to find something new. Maker he hopes he does not have to wreck another village even though humans in general deserve it.
Ignus frowns at the thought. He does not destroy villages for pleasure but out of anger towards his father who dares turn him into a hideous reptile or simply annoyed like what happened the other day. Watching people go about their days without any care for the world just makes him mad.
Speak of the devils, his scent leads to a farm village built right by a river. From the sky he spots the cows nearby fenced. They are probably herded by farmers raising them to be food or extract milk. Ignus growls in frustration as he is going to have to raid another village just to get food.
Ignus's stomach growls, letting him know that he needs food now. With that he takes a deep breath and spits a fire ball at the village windmill getting their attention in fright. Villagers turn their gazes to see a raging dragon heading towards them in full speed. A woman or two points at Ignus and shouts "DRAGON!"
Ignoring the shrieks of fear, Ignus begins his rampage using his tail or claws to shatter the building or burn them with his fire breathe. The villagers begin run in panic trying to get away as Ignus continues to use his fire breath to torch down the village now in flames. The village's local milita tries to fight him with spears or bows and arrows. But the dragon is clever dodging each arrow, gusting them off with his wings, and he blasts them away with his fireballs like a non-lethal grenade.
(Bailinor POV)
Across the valley Bailinor is seen riding his horse dressed in his armor fitting for a true Mystic Knight of authority. He wears a mighty regal silver cape to show and his black stallion is armored up with crafted armor. Behind him are other Mystic knights of lower rank and some squires, young teens who chose to be knights after graduating from the wizard academy.
Bailinor is leading his knights to a village of small people called Hobbits, a race of humans known for their small size and their furry bare feet. They also like to make their homes inside little hills with a garden placed around. They like things to be peacefull. As a Vegetation farming society, they help benefit trade in the kingdom earning them citizenship. Perhaps they are everywhere around Eurobania pledging themselves to the ruling king or queen. However, they could be targets for bandit raids. It is why Bailinor is bringing some squires.
The task is to have the young squires to help escort the hobbits around the kingdom as part of their training. In the biggest hill home is an elderly looking hobbit smoking his pipe. His teal eyes land on Bailinor with a smile. "You highness! What brings you here in this fine day?"
The elder walks up to the taller human and bows in respect. Bailinor only smiles and replies, "no need for formalities my old friend please rise. And also we here to train our squires to fulfill escort missions for you people."
The prince points to battalion of six nights and seven squires. The Elder lifts himself up as other hobbits nearby walk up to their tall guests giving them welcoming similes.
"I see you are hoho," the elder chuckles in a jolly tone. "why don't you all join us for lunch before you all go on with your task? Must have been a long journey."
"That would be nice Elder, I Tha- WHAT THE!?" Bailinor gets cut up by the sounds of screaming. All eyes turn to a fume of smoke coming from a hill. The Hobbits get spooked making them hide into their homes. The Knights have their attention to the thick smoke.
"Heaven's mercy! What is going on?!" the Elder freaks out clutching his chest as if he is getting a heart attack. Then a roaring sound is heard.
"I know that sound anywhere," Bailinor mutters in disappointment. He is hoping to avoid the encounter. It is his dragon turned brother causing trouble again.
"Pardon?" The Elder questions.
"Personal business." Bailinor turns his head to the elder and asks, "you mind having the squires hide in your home until we finish dealing with what is going on at the village?"
"OF COURSE OF COURSE! I would be happy to lend a hand until you all come back safe," The elder agrees.
Bailinor turns his attention to his knights and commands the squires to hide in the Elder's town hall while he leads the other knights to a settlement under attack.
Maker I pray I don't have to hurt him Bailinor thinks to himself knowing that another farm is under attack by his own brother.
The Hobbits in this fic are by no means related to LOTR with the exception of the appearance. For the sake of not wanting to confuse people into believing it is a crossover which is not! I just want to add some fantasy creatures for Eurobania.
The Fanfiction is brought you by "Tales in Scales: The empty throne" A fantasy dinosaur adventure about a young raptor name Silvus who must go on a quest to save his mother while the kingdom of Avalonia is on the verge of Civil war! Order your copies online only at Amazon or Barnes&Noble. If you like to see an audio version in Youtube, i posted some chapters there under the name BlueDragonStudios
