The Sunder King

There weren’t always dragons in the valley, but do not be mistaken, there has always been dragons. Tales of large, winged beasts flying overhead, burning, disintegrating, poisoning and freezing their enemy’s; collecting hordes of treasure as their trophies. No one knows how dragons came to be, all that they know is dragons are.

They tended to stay on the continent of Doragon, with a few outliers settling on Azurah, but they tended to keep to themselves. There had been stories in recent months of chromatic colored dragons attacking settlements to the west, The people of Openshaw paid these travelers no attention, presuming them to be wild tales, if only they had.

It was early morning; the sun had not yet risen above the mountains that surrounded their quiet little town; the fog still thick and cold. There were already people out and about getting ready for the working day, farmers heading out to their fields and merchants opening shop to sell their goods. But all that came to a stop when they heard a distant roar echo in the valley, followed by the sound of large wings beating against the air, the people of Openshaw looked for what was causing this sound, but in the thick fog they had no hope of seeing this creature.

Again, the creature roared this time right above the town, many of the towns’ people covered their ears fearing their eardrums would burst. Many looked up again now seeing its shadow, a large, winged beast flying overtop, in a panic people ran for safety in buildings, as others stared up in bewildered shock.

The creature circled around the town beating its large wings, it could see all those insects squirming for cover, for safety; little good that will do. It liked this valley, with its tall mountains that harbored many caves with vast space to keeps its hoard, yes this would do nicely for an Ancient Red Dragon, much better than the dark evil that its old lair has become, all that stood in its way was this insect filled hole. The Dragon circled again before diving towards the town opening its massive maw, a stream of billowing fire ingulfing a district of Openshaw.

The cries and screams of helpless people wore snuffed as the fire consumed them, plumes of smoke arose from the burning buildings as cries of people ran from the fire, many had dropped everything running out of the town for safer pastures. The dragon did not care for the insects that fled, all it wanted was this valley for its own, and to remove this blight from the land. Again, the dragon dove, a column fire billowing across this stain on the land, as more cries and screams of terror echoed across the valley. Maybe it should keep some alive, it did love the sound of their screams.

As the minutes went by and the screams and cries of terror turned into mourning wails, the people of Openshaw looked around at their homes burned and cindered, for a brief moment people thought it was over, some had started picking through the wrecks looking for their families or sentimental items, but before too long they heard the beating of large wings growing closer, before the ground shook as the beast landed looming over the small, sundered town. The people of Openshaw could now see the gargantuan red dragon with swept-back horns, a spinal frill running down its back defining its silhouette. Its nostrils flared with smoke, and its eyes danced with flames as it watched the people squirming for cover, as a sulfuric odor spread across the town.

“Silence!” The dragon commanded. The people that wore running for cover froze in place; those who cried and screamed ceased to do so, many dropping to the ground cowering in fear. “You inferior insects will listen or die! I am taking this land as mine and you will be my slaves! Anyone who defies me will be burned to ashes! Now kneel!”

The people wore frozen in fear unable to move, unable to speak. Many did as the dragon demanded and kneeled but still many wore afraid to move. “Kneel!” the dragon growled forcing the remainder to kneel.

A few moments past as the people of Openshaw took in their new overlord. An elderly man covered in soot and ash looked up to their new dragon overlord. “My…my lord, may I speak?”

The dragon looked down at the only insect looking up at him questioningly, he did not speak but his eyes narrowed, and more smoke billowed from his nostrils, tilting his head down in a nod.

“We are small town nestled into valley, we are simple folk, farmers, merchants, we hold no wealth…at least not to your standards, I do not see value in enslaving us? I wonder why? We pose no threat; we are nothing compared to yourself?” The old man asked.

The dragon looked down at senile old man, finding him amusing. “You are correct, you are nothing to me! Insects! But I require servants, if you serve me, I won’t burn you to dust! Call it mercy!” The dragon huffed a flume of smoke from its nostrils towards the cowering people.

“And your name my lord?” A woman called out, her hair was in tangles and her fine clothes ripped and soiled.

The dragons’ lips curled into what the people assumed was a smile, before standing up straight and unfurling his wings. “Drarath The Sunder King!”