Call of the dragon

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. The Dragons once roamed freely, destroying homes and lives, 1,000 dragons were imprisoned in the valley known as Vargasis. Today was the eve of the Dol, the feast of Dragons. This was widely celebrated in all of Pedraöks which meant, the king would be pardoning 15 criminals today, everyone was gathered in the town’s great hall, Those of noble houses were seated in the renovated mezzanines with tall brass seats overlooking the entire hall and those not from noble houses, sat on carved granite benches all of which faced the throne in a V-shape. The benches are filled with the knights and citizens of pedraöks. King Edwas Mundragon, the Queen, Isira Mundragon, and their 6 children were all seated up front. The great throne of brass sits atop an elevated platform led up by 7 steps, The throne sits in front of a large window radiating light onto the throne and is adjoined by three similar, but less ornate seats for the royal highness' family members.

“I pride myself as a fair and just king-“ Edwas Mundragon, the King of Pedröks states, “which why is today, on the eve of the Dol, I will be pardoning 15 men today. I believe these 15 individuals have served their sentence for their crimes to our country.” The Dol was the feast of dragons It was a holiday with long-lived roots, It is officially celebrated for three days, and is held yearly on the first weekend of spring. On the first day, the king would pardon some criminals jailed for their crimes, a big feast follows after and the next day is the holy day, everyone wears rags, no meat is to be eaten, and the elder light elves go up to Mount Ida where for worship and then on the last day, is the big tournament where men from all 6 kingdoms of Pedraöks, compete in a series of games, the champion, is blessed by the king, and he and his family are raised to the rank of nobles.

The King’s servant, Cedric standing beside the king, pulls out a scroll and starts reading the names out, ”Aodh, Bren…”

“Where is your sister, Ruu?” the queen, Isira Mundragon whispers nudging her first daughter Persea Mundragon gently with her elbow, “I’m not sure,” Persea replies quietly, she could never get used to the attention of sitting up here by the throne, and this only happened during feasts and gatherings like today, Persea looks up at the crowded hall, the polished braziers attached to each of the twelve marble columns light up most of the throne hall and cloak it in a dark orange glow. The gems of the many artworks on the oblique ceiling dance in the flickering light while sculptures and statuettes look down upon the stone floor of this impressive hall.

A crimson rug splits part of the room in half from the throne to midway down the hall while forked banners with the cress of all 12 noble families are draped from the walls. Between each banner hangs a small chandelier, many of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the little stone statues of the dragons placed on stone mantles below them, veils enclose hefty, tinted glass windows are enclosed by veils colored the same crimson and ruby— the colors of House Mundragon. The curtains have been adorned with decorating tips and impressive needlework.

Persea spots her sister Ruu in her red dress with a draped neckline, which compliments her reddish-brown hair and caramel skin. Persea watches as Ruu walks through the hall, gracefully, she envied how her sister always appeared graceful. Ruu takes a seat at her usual spot, next to her mother. “Where have you been?” Queen Isira asks quietly, “ I went riding. Lost track of time.” Isira had always favored Ruu amongst her 6 children, and she didn’t bother to hide this just as the father had picked Aeron, the last child, and only son, as his favorite child.

“You only go riding at sunrise.” Xaari Mundragon chipped in noisily, she seated beside Persea, she’s the 4th child of Edwas and Isira, she was the carbon copy of Edwas from the silver hair they share to their intimating height, she was the tallest child in the house mundragon. It was uncommon at the time for women to be that tall.

“I can change my mind.” Ruu spits out, she hated how nosy her young sister is. Xaari moves to reply, but is interrupted by the clinging of glass noise by the Queen, “Quiet.” She mutters sternly to Xaari,

“— Now, before we feast... I would like to announce the upcoming wedding of my first daughter, Persea Mundragon, to the next heir Renfred of House Odri. The wedding will be held here at the next full moon.” Renfred was a knight in the king's army, and, the first son of Barat Odri and Frytha Mundragon. House Odri was the other noble house of Pedraöks, Frytha Mundragon was the first child and older sister of Edwas, because women were not even allowed to be an heir to the throne they had to marry an heir if there are no eligible male sons.

Edwas and Isira had 5 older daughters- Persea, Ruu, Alea, Xaari, Gaia —and 1 son— Aeron, He’s barely off his mother’s breast. Persea, the first daughter will have to marry an heir, this was her duty to her country.

Applause filled the room after the king's announcement, they raise their glasses to the king and the throne, and clings of wine glasses and cheering could be heard around the hall, a wedding meant another feast which was always a cause for celebration. Edwas grins contented with himself, he always loved being celebrated by his people, He would occasionally throw large feasts and celebrations for the praise of his people, and the people loved him.

Persea had always known that it was her duty to marry an heir to the throne, she had been told this over and over from a young age, but that didn’t make this easier. A hand takes hers under the table, and squeezes it softly, she turns to her young sister, Alea Mundragon, she smiles tightly at her sister and turns away. Alea was the third child of Edwas and Mundragon. She was just in her 17th year but was already known as one of the most beautiful maidens in Pedröks. She had successfully inherited the best traits from both parents, her long blond hair, green eyes, and full pink lips, she was almost as tall as Xaari. Alea had always been the most mature of her siblings. “Are you alright?” Alea asks her older sister quietly, “I’m fine” Persea replies a little too quickly.

*****

Kilian lifts the wooden mazer to his lips and takes a big gulp of the ale, he looks around the room, he was the only one in here, the feast had lasted till late in the night, and he could hear the muffled sounds coming from the rooms with the thick curtains. He turns toward the bar, the busty woman standing behind the bar is nothing but a single cloth tied around her waist. “Where is he?” Kilian asked the woman for the umpteenth, she shrugs, “ I dinn’t know… but I can keep you busy till he returns” she propositions him, stalking closer to him, with a crooked smile, “Fuck off whore.”

“Hyah! You don’t speak to my girls like that..” Cyne Dumeries walks in, and he adjusts his pants, trying to buckle the belt, “ Where have you been? We were supposed to meet here 3 ales ago.” Kilan replies annoyed. Cyne Dumeries was from House Dumeries a noble house of Hela, Cyne owned half the taverns and brothels in Pedraöks. Born and raised in Hela, who served as a servant in Pedraöks, Cyne was a close friend of Edwas. Was made the Lord of House Dumeries by Edwas. Cyne Dumeries was bald black-haired, had blue eyes, and was short in height.

“I had some important business to take care of.” Cyne takes a sit and gestures at the barmaid to bring him a drink, she does this quickly, and he waves her out,

“This is more important,” Kilan states sternly as the barmaid leaves them alone.

“I know.” Cyne chuckles to himself lift the mazer to his lips and take a big gulp, “so. Is everything set for tonight?” He leans in, reducing his voice,

“Yes. Are things set on your side?” Kilan looks at him with impatience, he always thought of Cyne Dumeries as a necessary evil, and Cyne always somehow smelled of sweet nuts.

“Of course, they’re just awaiting the signal.” Cyne shines his yellow teeth, laughing loudly

“I hope so” Kilan stands to leave,

“You know, you do look a lot like him….especially in the eyes..” Cyne throws some sweet nuts in his mouth and chews on them loudly,

“I am nothing like him” Kilan spits out to Cyne, “Just make sure everything is ready when it needs to be, and you’ll get your reward, pig.” Cyne was often referred to as a ‘pig’ due to his pinkish completion and bulky figure. Kilan walks out of the brothel making show to slam the door shut as he leaves.

Kilan heads to the Keep, the Knights’ castle