(Early Author's Note: The second chapter's finally here! Not much to say on this, so let's get right to it!
Now, just a few things to keep in mind in order to have a better experience with the story:
"Dragon of the North" = Talking
"Dragon of the North"= Thinking
"Dragon of the North"- Middle Alignment = Singing
Dragon of the North- Middle Alignment = Chanting, or ritual
-Dragon of the North-- Middle Alignment = Written Message/Text Message/TV
Paathurnax- Middle Alignment = POV
Kingdom of Natra- Middle Alignment = Location
-Three days later-- Middle Alignment = time
-Frostfall 25-- Middle Alignment = day
"Dragon of the North"= Flashback
Crash!- Left Alignment = Sound effect
Now, let the Tale continue!)
Dawn shined bright once again, and like before it coated Paarthurnax with spots of sunlight. One particularly bright one alighting on his eye, and like before, waking him up with a squint of the eyes and a shift away from the hole-filled cave wall. "...Nngrrhmmngh…" Paarthurnax groaned, finally getting himself up. As he crawled out of the cave, he eyed the hole-filled cave wall and said "I ought to deal with that annoyance upon my return." He then fully stepped out of his cave and onto the large 'front porch' as the Shining One would call it. He then flexed and stretched his wings and limbs.
Crk
Snp
Pp
"Ahhh. Dii qeth haalvut pruzaan nu." Paarthurnax sighed, having done his little morning stretches. He then turned his head eastward and said "Now, let us search jer today." With that, he turned his whole body around and flew off. But he flew down the mountain range first; just a little ways, only to double-check and see if he missed anything.
But he didn't get out of sight of his island when he noticed something… different. When he first flew down the mountain range, he had immediately spotted two walled towns right in the way of two mountain passes; both of which were very near to his island. It wasn't much of a surprise as the city had been; they looked fairly close to what the Bron might build. But looking at them now… The walls were torn down in places, a few buildings burnt or ruined (no smoke however, indicating whatever happened was some time ago) and men in golden-brown armor with red lining marched to and fro. "Hmm… So, even in this world kein neh oblaan." he thought, and swerving east he passed over the mountains between the towns. He continued flying, between the mountains and the sea, over a large field, until coming across a town at the base of what looked like a river. And like the previous two towns, this one was overrun with golden-brown troops. "Is this an invasion? Could that be why these kendov were guarding the passes further south?" Paarthurnax thought, watching with his great dragon-sight how the soldiers walked the town. They acted friendly, helped out where they could, but Paarthurnax could see through them. See that it was all a lie; an ulterior purpose being worked towards under a mask of aid. Paarthurnax sighed and flew on, a little south and eastwards, staying over the land. For about a day he flew until he saw a cloud of smoke and dust rising high ahead of him. "Hmmm…" he thought, and picking up speed he flapped his wings quickly as he soared around the cloud and peered down.
It was an army. Thousands of golden-brown (with red lining) soldiers marched in straight formations, lock-step, and even with all manner of war machines (for both defence and offense). Cavalry trotted at the front and back, archers in the center, and warriors along the sides. Altogether, it was an incredible display of manpower that would bring tears to the eyes of any who beheld it.
"...What are these silly Joor up to now?"
Any except a Dragon, that is.
Paarthurnax, hovering in the air a good distance away, eyed the army without even a hint of actually being impressed. He just sighed and rolled his eyes, and said "Is this their second wave of invasion? Far too much theatrics, to say nothing of the number of soldiers! Too much!" Paarthurnax snorted in distaste and thought "Not only that, but they may encroach upon my (temporary) home." He gazed at the marching horde again, and back to the north where the island is, then back again.
"...This cannot be allowed."
Teumann Alei
A heavily-armored man (his armor of dusky red with golden decorations) sat upon a white horse at the front of the army. His black hair, shoulder-length and blowing in the wind, seemed to shine. This was Teumann Alei, general of the 3rd Legion of the Aswald Empire. "Ah ha ha ha ah… This will be quite the conquest, boys!" he called to his army with a turn of the head. "Natra doesn't have much in terms of resources, true, but we'll be more than compensated in all the land we'll get!" He turned back, facing north, and said "Think about it: Each and every one of us, with enough land to rival the nobles of the Deep Empire, and mansions almost as tall as the mountains!"
"I can't wait!" said one soldier.
"Those Natrans aren't anything to worry about, so we're in the money!" said another.
"Land, women… Ooooh boy, it's a two-for-one deal we're gettin'!" cried a third.
"And we're essentially getting it all without trouble! Those stupid, northern, uncultured, barbaric Natrans can't even hope to stand against us! "Dragon of the North" indeed!" a fourth snorted derisively. "I'd like to see them try and fight us! Ha! I doubt they even have a dragon or anything to fight us with!"
Roaaar…
"...Hey, what's that?" a fifth said suddenly, pointing slightly to the northwest. "I thought… I thought I heard something."
Teumann turned his head, but the army didn't stop as he said "It's nothing. Let's keep moving!" The questioning soldier followed the ranks, thinking "I know I heard… something."
ROOOaaaRrr…
At once, the same soldier jumped out of line and pointed in the noise's direction, crying "There it is again! I know I'm not hearing things!" Other soldiers began to stop now, straining their ears to listen. Teumann, looking around as most of the army began to stop, thought "No, no, no. They're stopping! We're wasting time, and far too much already with this nonsense!" He then shouted "Forget the damn noise! I said march, so boys, you all better march till I say otherwise! We're needed in Natra "preferably before the year's end", remember?! Come on!" He and most of the upfront troops followed, others (along with much of the rear army) still standing around, listening.
RROOOAAAAARRRRR!
"What the hell is that?!" one soldier cried.
"I–I… Where?! It sounds like it's coming from all around us!" another shouted, looking around in circles.
Suddenly, Teumann looked towards the mountains and pointed, shouting "THERE!" Everyone looked, and their eyes widened in horror as the sweat of fear fell down from their heads. Flying towards them, and at an alarming speed, was a massive dragon. "D…Dr–dra…D–D" one soldier stuttered out before the entire army screamed "DRAAAAAGOOOOOONNN!" Almost immediately their formations began to fall apart as horses, driven by fear and confusion, rode hither and thither with their riders still mounted. Archers and soldiers tried to flee to cover, but they were in an open area now, and so they could only scurry around like rats. Teumann, sweating bullets and his whole body shivering, shot out an arm and screamed "STOP! Dammit all, STOOOOOOOPP!" Those who listened paused in their panic, and Teumann shouted "Look at us! Running around like headless chickens! We are the Third Legion of the Aswald Empire, and we have a job to do. If this is some ploy of Natra's, well then they've gone and wasted their trump card. Archers, fire every arrow you have at the beast! Cavalry, form together and charge it in waves once it lands! Troops, be sure to hold it down, and keep its sides and hind legs open to the cavalry!"
"YES SIR!" the troops shouted, and order began to return to the army as companies and bands were taking their positions. Archers remained in the center with soldiers nearby, cavalry were further away on the flanks, and the archer captain (wearing a leather, and lighter, version of the soldiers' armor) raised his hand in signals, saying "Take aim…"
The archers all pulled back their strings, arrows notched and trained on the approaching dragon.
"Steady your hands and choose a mark…"
Many archers who had been shaking before now remained stone-still, and others chose either what looked like a loose scale or a bit of wing to shoot at.
The captain's hand went down sharply as he cried "FIRE!"
Thwoo
Thwoo
THWOOTHWOOOTHWOOTHWOOTHWOOTHWOOTHWOOTHWOOTHWOO
Like a heavy torrent of rain, arrows flew through the air towards the dragon.
YOL TOOR SHUL
SHWOOOFFSHHKR!
And not one even grazed its scales as after a bright storm of fire erupted from the dragon's mouth they all burned into ash. As the entire army looked on in shock and (ever-growing) terror, an archer turned to the captain and said "I'm not one to lie, sir, and I think we're 'bout to be cooked." The captain shook his head, saying "No…" He then turned to him and the other archers.
"We're deep-fried!"
Paarthurnax
"The arrows were a rather silly attempt…" Paarthurnax thought as he flew through the cloud of smoke and hovered above the army. "Surely they knew I could just ag niin?" He shook his head and thought "Nid. I have a mission. Scare them off, and search the east." Suddenly, another (but smaller) hail of arrows flew towards him.
YOL TOOR SHUL
SHWOOOFFSHHKR!
And once again Paarthurnax burned them all, not one reaching him. He then flapped the smoke away, and hovering proudly and threateningly above the army he shouted "Oblaan hin kod krif! I will not allow you to enter these brom golt. Hear my Voice, and turn back. NOW."
BMMMM!
RMMMBBL!
The whole world seemed to shake in that moment, many of the soldiers having lost their footing and fallen over. The horses were maddened, none able to stay together in formation. The men trembled and took many fearful steps back. Paarthrunax growled loudly, hoping this might make them flee, but instead a lone rider in elaborate armor trotted forward. "Their kinbok…" Paarthrunax thought as he eyed the man riding up. The man had a palm out in a sign of peace, and he cried "Hold, mighty dragon! I apologize for our aggression! Never before have we seen a mighty beast such as you. I am the leader of these men, and I ask to parlay with you. Come down, please!"
Paarthurnax narrowed his eyes, but he descended upon the ground. Looming above the man, he looked around. Cavalry and other forces were suddenly, if near-imperceptibly, sneaking closer. "Ahhhh." Paarthurnax said suddenly, head nodding in understanding. "Is… is something wrong, Dragon?" the man asked. In answer Paarthurnax reared himself up and took a deep breath.
FUS GOLT GOVEY
BBRRRRMMMM
Suddenly, the ground shook and cracks formed around the dragon and rider. The plot of land they stood on suddenly lifted into the air! "Ah–ahaha–AAHHHHGHH!?" the rider cried in fright as his horse bucked wildly. Down below, the soldiers began panicking again only to finally turn and flee. Watching them, Paarthurnax saw not one head north. He then turned back to the rider and said "Your lahvu has fled back east, Joor. It is now you and me. So. What is your name?" The man trembled, but he stuttered out "T-T–T-Teumann A–Alei. General o-o-of the Third Legion of t-th-the Aswald Empire." He managed to master himself (somewhat) and suddenly said "And you! Y-You have no idea what you've done! By allying with Natra and threatening an army of the Empire, your life has become forfei–"
"Stop."
Teumann shut up at once. Paarthurnax turned back north and said "So… That is that northern land's name. "Natra". Hmmm…" He then turned back to Teumann and said "I shall say this only once. Do not disturb my drem - my peace - in Natra. Do not enter into Natra. I do not wish to drun dinok - cause death - in this world. And I'm sure you wouldn't wish to be the first, geh?" Teumann nodded violently.
MAH GOLT DREM
Paarthurnax shouted again, and the little floating island they 'chatted' on began to gently descend. It fitted neatly back into its crater, and after a huff from Paarthurnax (which frightened Teumann's horse) Teumann was thrown from his horse (who galloped its way back to the stables). "I-I–I'll take my leave then. Sorry for bothering youuuuu!" Teumann cried as he likewise ran away back home. Paarthurnax just sighed, took flight once again, and resumed his journey east.
If a difference could be made between the north, west, and east, it would be many things. The north was the most mountainous, rocky, and cold, a near-permanent blanket of snow coating the land. The west was more golden, with fields and forests, but many hills and ruins and more towns and villages.
But the east? The east is more green, and way more 'large'. If they have less forests then they have larger fields, larger cities, and many, many more ruins. To say nothing of people. Already Paarthurnax has had to fly around 12 different patrols in just 2 days! "No sign of other Dovah… Nothing at all?" Paarthurnax thought one day, searching through a castle ruin large enough to fit at least one dragon. Crawling out, Paarthurnax spotted a large elk and spat a speedy fireball at it. "NUHURRRK!" the elk screamed before dying. Paarthurnax mumbled "Krosis, sunvaar. Nuz zu'u bahlok." before snapping up the crispy elk and chewing thoughtfully on it as he gazed around him.
In front of him, and all around him, were forests. This ruin clearly was old indeed. Paarthurnax readied his wings to fly, but he paused. And listened.
Tmp
Tmp
Tmp
Trwt
Trwt
Armored footsteps, and horse hooves. Paarthurnax squinted, and far into the woods he could see the gleam of the sun off armor and spears and shields. "Hmmgrrmmh… These mortals are a really aggressive lot." Paarthurnax muttered before turning and heading deeper into the ruin. He went to the far wall, turned, and waited, staring at the large opening at the far end. The noises grew louder, voices beginning to be raised, and soon Paarthurnax heard a man say "Alright, boys, the beast's locked up inside. He's got no way out 'cept through here. Now, who's ready to kill a dragon?!"
"YEEEAAAAHH!" a chorus of voices replied as the sound of drawn weapons filled the air. It was then that a rush of armored troops flooded the opening, and Paarthurnax just chuckled.
"Maybe a little more 'force' is in order."
FUS RO DAH
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM!
"AAAEEIIIIAAGAAGARRRGHH!?" the men cried as they, the troops still rushing up, and even the entire front half of the ruin (and much of the forest too) was blown down like a house of cards. Trees, stones, and men were flying in all directions, the ruin itself beginning to crumble, but as it did Paarthurnax erupted from it into the air and flew off. An amused smile was on his face as he laughed, going "Ahahaha ha aha! Hoooo, that was funny indeed!" He chuckled out the last bits of humor before his face became serious, gazing out over the lands.
"A couple more days. Just a couple…"
-Four days later-
At the Natra-Aswald Border
Paarthurnax was entering the land of 'Natra' again, the snowy and rocky lands a now-familiar sight to him. Two days, he continued flying around the 'Aswald Empire', and for two days he found no other dragons. For two days he flew on his return-journey, avoiding larger patrols and the big bonfires of many villages and towns.
And there were no dragons found then either. Of course.
So now Paarthurnax, tired, upset, and a bit sulky (though he'd never admit it), flew back to his cave. It was dark as he flew over the mountain chain, the two towns he spotted before dark and… almost lifeless. Paarthurnax paused for a moment and hovered, eyeing the rebuilt walls, the Aswald troops manning them, and then flew off again. "I drove off one lahvu… but will more come? Have I revealed myself too soon?" he thought, nearing his island. But as he was flying in, he spotted lights along the coast and at the two far ends of the island. In an instant, the once-sleepy eyes of the old Dovah were wide open.
"Daar nis kos?! Fin joor fod ni kos yah fa zu'u ont!" he thought in a panic, quickly turning upwards and flying high. "How? How?! I could not be discovered so soon!" He hovered in the air, gazing back down at the island grimly and said "I must maar niin ful nust bovul. Geh. That, and make them swear to tell none of my dwelling here. Geh." Paarthurnax then flew down towards the island, ignoring the growing cries, and he touched ground upon his landing and remained there as humans began running up stairs and ladders ("They must have built them in my absence…" Paarthurnax thought) and surrounding him with makeshift weapons.
"Stay your weapons, joor! I mean you no harm. I seek only to understand why you dwell upon my island and my cave. Who shall answer me?" Paarthurnax said calmly, surprising the people as some dropped their weapons and others backed away fearfully. "Well?" he said, louder. Children who had come to gaze at him began to cry, their mothers clutching them tightly as the men bravely took steps forward. Suddenly, three men strode forward. The first was a tall, lanky man with a monocle and a frayed suit, a dented pocket watch in his hand that he seemed to look at from time to time; the second a short, heavyset man with a bury mustache and a crooked brown tophat, wearing grey overalls over a simple brown shirt; the third a more regular-sized man with a trenchcoat and a comically large backpack bristling with all manner of things, from weapons to armor to small appliances and such.
"H-Hello there, er… Dragon." the tall man said first. He then gave a bow and added "I-I-I am Cogwyn, mayor–Well, former mayor now, of Witvale." The short man then gave a small bow and said "A-And I am Quintan, former mayor of Tamste." The man with the large pack then said "The name's Faboren, wandering merchant of Vouno. At yer service, Master Dragon."
"...Yes. As for why we're here, Master Dragon, it's because we have been driven from our towns for refusing to put up with the occupying Aswald forces." Cogwyn stated. Paarthurnax looked around at all the weary, tired faces, then spotted a young child walk up to him and ask "Mister Dragon… Do you think you could save us? Please?" His mother quickly grabbed him and pulled him back, crying "Mercy, Master Dragon! H-He doesn't know any better. Please, don't–" But Paarthurnax said "Drem. Peace." and hummed in thought. At length, he asked "Who can, perhaps, provide more insight on this matter? I hoped to pass my time alone here, but if these Aswaldians are truly such a problem then I shall aid you. Now, what is the tey - story - behind all of this?"
At that, Faboren strode forward, saying "Well, being a merchant, I just so happened to be finishing up my business in the West when I ended up joining with a very interesting group from the West. Aswaldians all. But lemme start from the beginning…"
(Ending Author's Note: Finished at last! I had hoped to get it done sooner, but once I started writing I kept going! It's a bit longer, hopefully a good read, and it might have left you all with some questions. I hope so! You see, while this story is certainly gonna be a funny one, it'll still have its serious, smarty-pants moments. For example, why is the Aswald empire already invading Natra? What's a group of Aswaldians doing in the West? Where the heck are Wein and Ninim?! I would love to hear your guesses! Now, to translate the Dragon speak:
Bo Wah Fin Jer - Flight To The East
Dii qeth haalvut pruzaan nu - My bones feel better now
Jer - East
Kein neh oblaan - War never ends
Kendov - Warrior(s)
Joor - Mortal(s)
Yol Toor Shul (Fire Breath Shout) - Fire Inferno Sun
Ag niin - Burn them
Nid - No
Oblaan hin kod krif - End your use(less) struggle
Brom golt - Northern ground(s)/land(s)
Kinbok - Leader
Fus Golt Govey (Raise Land Shout, my own creation) - Force Land/Ground Remove
Lahvu - Army
Drem - Peace
Drun dinok - Cause death
Geh - Yes
Mah Golt Drem (Lower Ground Shout, my own creation and the opposite of Raise Land) - Fall Ground Peace
Krosis, sunvaar. Nuz zu'u bahlok - Sorry, beast. But I hunger
Fus Ro Dah (Unrelenting Force Shout) - Force Balance Push
Daar nis kos?! - This cannot be?!
Fin joor fod ni kos yah fa zu'u ont! - The mortals could not be seeking for me already!
Maar niin ful nust bovul - Terrify them so they flee
Tey - Story
"May your Tales be told and never end!" - TaleBearer42Day)