Dragon Slayer

[lazee]

HELP WANTED


Area knight, 34, seeking brave and dedicated young man/woman between the ages of 16-21 to fill the position of Squire. Must have rudimentary combat experience and training. Skill with bows not required, but highly appreciated. Applicants need seek out Sir Daval Skardgard in the Lion’s Den Inn, Eordale.

The kingdom of Sancanis is renowned far and wide for its dragons. Their mountains are home to a multitude of dragon species, brood upon brood. From the iconic fire dragon to the exotic serpent wyrm, Sancanis is the dragon capital of the world, housing nearly three-quarters of the known dragon population. While not hostile in general, most take to raiding towns and farms to obtain food. This happens almost daily in the Sancanite land and over the years, the townsfolk have come to accept it as just another routine occurrence like rain or a carriage accident.


But with the coming of a long harvest season, a new threat rises.
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Grakkon the Broodlord, a threat defeated in an age long past, makes his return from the far reaches and he seeks vengeance. Aspiring to claim superiority over all Sancanis, he and his Iron Brood conspire to retake their homeland and burn the interloping Sancanites to the ground. His vile claim to power draws in numerous normally-peaceful dragons to his cause. Sancanis soon sees a significant rise in dragon-related violence. The kingdom now sends out its Knights and hedge heroes to investigate the sudden aggression of the dragons.


@Moatman

 

[lazee]

The Lion's Den Inn

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Spoiler

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Eordale was never anything much, even before the Alessian War, but compared to the rest of South Sancanis, you couldn't ask for a calmer hovel. And such was its main appeal. The town being one of the smallest settlements within direct proximity of the Capital, Eordale had a long history of political turmoil and it was only recently, with the rise of the trustworthy Mayor Abraham De Harag, that it came to enjoy a period of relative peace. The highlight of his term was the renovation of a long-abandoned tavern: The Lion's Den. Originally established some 50 years ago and once Eordale's pride and joy, the bed and board had suffered a decline after its owner and founder had been killed in action during the Alessian conflict. A void of ownership arose with his death, but Mayor Abraham was determined to restore the Den to its former glory. With no small amount of effort and money, he succeeded and the Lion's Den opened its doors once more, now becoming a bustling port of social activity. One could see patrons from far and wide having a good time or, in the case of one intrepid knight, awaiting someone.

***

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A heavily armored figure sat stoically, alone, in one of the few tables left alone in the crowded Lion's Den. Though it was impossible to see his face, one could easily recognize the armor, the standard issue of a Sancanite Knight. This was Sir Daval Skardgard, a war hero from the North. He had been assigned a special task by the Third Eye, the kingdom's secret service, to investigate the king's land for unusual threats. There had been rumors that the dragons were starting to grow territorial, vengeful. Violent. This would have dire consequences should it be true. Sancanites were no strangers to the devastation the dragons could inflict. An olden legend largely accepted as ancient history stated that once, the dragons and humans waged war on another, a bloody conflict spanning centuries. Eventually, the early Sancanites claimed victory with divine aid, but should they declare war once more, would they be ready? The thought could make even Daval shudder. This investigation would be an enormous undertaking and, as much as he would have it otherwise, he couldn't do it alone. So he sent word to the land that he was hiring a squire. Sancanis was in no shortage of spirited young lads and lasses looking for their bid at fortune and glory. Hopefully, one would take the chance he was offering.

 

[Moatman]

From afar, Aveline looked like a lost traveler. Her slippers were covered in dirt and so was her skirt. A weathered robe rested upon her shoulders, and her hair was blown by the wind into a chaotic mess of tangled strands. But she is not lost in any way. Just a day after the news of a knight searched for a squire reached the door of Cynthus’ Priesthood, Aveline started her flight to Eordale. The generous High Priestess gave her plenty supply for the seven days journey and her friends all support her to go there. And now here she is, in front of the Lion’s Den inn. She pulled a piece of paper from beneath her robe. She made sure that she was in the right place before entering the crowded inn.


Traders and outlaws, farmers and hunters, all kind of person from any kind of background mix inside the famous Lion’s Den. Drunkards were brawling over small disputes, merchants were forming trading deals and contracts, and a girl was looking for a knight. Aveline had heard about Sir Daval before she knew about the Iron Man, the war hero from the north, the kind of knight that will surely return her family honors should she become his squire. That is, if she could find him at first.


The lurking eyes inside the inn were putting their gaze upon her. She might looks like a beggar, but her stunning eyes and the young face were enough for the dangerous man in the inn. Aveline could feel the looks they gave to her, but decided to shrug them off. Finding the knight in the middle of this inn is her first priority, but given the crowded surrounding she would needs hours before she could spot the famous helmet.


When she sat on a lonely seat in the corner of the Tavern, one of the drunk man approached her. Mischievous smile made its way to his face, as he started to flirt the only young lady in Lion’s Den. “Hello, beautiful,” The man started his move ”Would you fancy some drinks?” Aveline was not blind to the incoming danger, and various scenarios to evade this man appeared on her head. “Sorry, no need to buy me a drink.” Aveline’s rejection didn’t seem to send him away, and he kept trying with other ways to fulfill his desires. He started to act more aggressive and put his hands to Aveline’s body. Enraged, the wannabe squire punched the drunkard with her hand. The man did not accept this lightly though, and showed his power by throwing Ave to the ground. Her days in training helped her to regain her balance just in time to evade the next attack. The two soon giving each other bruises and scars using anything in their vicinity, splinters of chairs and shrapnel of glasses flew in every directions, and the watchful crowd stepped back to avoid becoming unwanted casualties. Aveline had humiliated the man by punching him, and the man was for sure not going to let Aveline go without crippling wounds. Curse this fight, Ave took a breath before she kicked the drunken man in his face, I need to end this soon.

 

[lazee]

Another empty day, it seems, the Knight muttered under his breath. He had been patiently waiting for two weeks now since he had word of seeking a squire sent throughout the land. A normal man would've given up to his own impatience much sooner. But forebearance was a key quality instilled upon any Knight worth their steel. And so Daval waited. And waited. Until thirst got to the better of him. Several tankards of ice cold Altarian Brandy helped tremendously in alleviating the monotonous days in the inn.


With a heaved sigh, Sir Daval rose from his seat and headed for the bar. There was quite a bit of commotion about the establishment. He immediately noticed a scene in progress. A young woman was trading blows with an older man. He was willing to bet said man made an unwanted advance towards her. It was just a small barfight, nothing unusual. Reminded him of his better days, when he was just a hotheaded conscript. The Daval then would've gladly joined in on the fun, but as a full-fledged Knight, the responsibility fell unto him to uphold peace wherever he went. Good grief. The Knight unsheathed his greatsword and waited for the right moment before slashing it downwards in a such a precise manner that the blade separated the two would-be combatants, embedding itself in a wooden table. The inn went silent.


"Fight's over, you two," he sternly commanded.

 

[Moatman]

A blade slashed through the air just in time when Aveline was about to give the man a final punch. Her eyes soon followed the edge of the shining metal sword, well-polished and sharp for sure, shown by the scar it gave to the wooden table of Lion's Den bar. Ave admired the sword for a while before she gave a glance at the holder. A tall man, his body covered by metallic armor with a helmet proudly covered his master's face. Aveline recognized the knight in the first glance and knelt before him. Finally, I hope he is okay with the fight. Ave broke the silent by greeting the armored knight. "My Lord, Sir Daval." Some people who was crowding the fight had moved elsewhere right after they see Daval. Knight is either respected or feared by most people in the south, not excluding the drunk man Ave had a fight with. So they were mostly alone when Aveline spoke to The Iron Man. "I've been searching for you. The news of you searching for a new squire spread through out the land. I came from the Priesthood of Cynthus to meet you and become your squire. It is an honor to meet you.


Aveline's heart was beating fast when she realized that the person she'd been looking for found her in such disgraceful condition. She just hoped that the man won't be bothered by her dirty clothes, or her untidy hear, or even the fight. She might not be a knight yet, not even a squire, but she knew that initiating such havoc like she did is not something a knight does. At this moment, Aveline knew she would be fucked up if she failed her first impression.

 

[lazee]

Much to his relief, the crowd dispersed and returned to their businesses without much effort on Daval's behalf. One couldn't find discipline like that anywhere in his homeland, the Far North. Made his job infinitely easier, but having a scuffle with the boys in the pub never ceased to entertain him. Hopefully the Knight would have a chance to return home in the near future. Dislodging his blade, Daval stoically walked back to his seat and await his new squire.


But apparently didn't have to wait for long.


The rabblerousing firebrand from before was in fact kneeling before him. She spoke of the Priesthood of Cynthus and her desire to become a squire. Fantastic. He had begun to think that this generation was full of cowards, but here was an exceptional exemption. Now to see if she had any potential at all.


The Knight rested his blade on his right shoulder. "A bold statement, young lass. The undertaking of a squire's duty is not one to be taken lightly," Daval warned her beforehand. There was good reason why the life expectancy of a squire never went past 40. Their line of work was too dangerous and left no quarter for weakness.


"But if you truly insist...then come with me." The armored man walked out of the inn, expecting the girl to follow him suit. Under his helmet, he was smiling brightly. It was always a blast training the new blood.


(Maap baru beli paket data)

 

[Moatman]

Aveline waited nervously as the knight put his gaze upon her. This is the moment she'd been waiting for, and she better not screw this one. As the knight shifted his sword to his shoulder, Ave was ready for any outcome. It was a bit foolish to come to a decorated war hero and asked him to become his squire without any actual experience. But Ave was always the bold one, ever since her childhood she always was the most extreme among her peers. She would do any challenge her friends gave her to prove her ability. If Daval needed any prove, Aveline would gladly show him what she could do. That is if Daval even considered a young girl like her as his squire.


And he did. Deep inside Ave jumped up and down like a kid, and she tried very hard to keep her cool and simply followed the knight gracefully. But then a thought popped inside her head. What if she fails? What if she died before she could achieve anything? It's no secret that a squire rarely survives its first or second task if they were inexperienced. But Ave strengthened herself with the chants he learned in the priesthood. She wasn't inexperienced, she did not have any actual battles, but this was what a Warmaiden supposed to be.


Ave was left a few steps behind Daval when she lost in her train of thoughts, and swiftly chased him. She was ready for anything Daval could give for her, and she was sure she would survive until she return with her family's pride.