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March of Dragons [M, HK/Dad]

Started by Marakai Trin, December 29, 2016, 07:18:44 AM

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Marakai Trin

[Preemptively rated M for the possibility of gore and mindless slaughter.]


In the great atrium of the Aerie, a massive man in black armor stood before a great throne, nearly ten feet tall with a great black beard and wild hair. A black crown, seemingly of the same material as his armor, adorned his head, a wicked looking thing wrapped in platinum wire. A great onyx stone served as it's centerpiece.

Bright, burning red eyes surveyed the five men before him, stopping to stare at one in particular.

This man standing over others was Baalroth Trin, the Blackfire King of the Aerie Dragon clan, a Firstscale descended directly from Tiamat herself. A once savage beast, he was turned gentle upon the defeat of the Dread Bitch, the dragon queen's influence rendered null upon her imprisonment.

These five men, Dragons all and esteemed members of the Flameguard, had been gathered here for two purposes.

"Urra'vin, First of the Flameguard. Step forth."

Medievarad

Holding a massive bearded axe, one with a haft longer than the rather impressive structure the male dragon held in his human form, a blade that was longer than his arm, Urra'vin stepped forward, as asked. He stood tall and mighty in his massive black and red plate armour, holding his axe next to him. Hand raising in salute. "Blackfire King," he stated, indicating he was at attention.

He glanced to the other Flameguards momentarily. The men he commanded as their first. This was the official briefing for a mission, as he had been informed from before. He'd have to break down everything his liege stated, however, to his men and translate it all in a proper tactics to organise a proper taskforce. The nature of the mission was still unknown to him, however.

Marakai Trin

Baalroth acknowledged Urra'vin's attention with a nod, and stepped off of the round dais that the two thrones rested upon. The mountainous man walked straight up to the Flameguard, and stood an arms length away.

"As you are no doubt aware, we are in the midst of a budding conflict with the Tenkou clan once again. Queen Ryuujinn has allied herself with deep-dwarves - more specifically, the Ironside clan, here in the Thunderblacks."

The deep bass voice echoed throughout the massive chamber as he spoke, heavy booted feet stepping noisily upon the stone as he walked to and fro in front of the five warriors, speaking loudly enough for all to hear.

"The blasted duergar themselves have orcs alongside them. We've learned that recently their tunnel network nearly connects to ours...in times of peace, this would make no difference, but I dare not give Ryuujinn an open door into the Aerie."

He then stopped in front of Urra'vin, and leveled a heavy look at the smaller dragon. "I am tasking you five - and one other - to seek out the Black Gate, nearly forty miles Northeast of here. Legend says it's impenetrable."

He leaned in closer to Urra'vin, and gave a prideful smile.

"I want you to tear it asunder. And, I regret to say so, but the Ironsides are not to survive this conflict, nor their allies. Exterminate them, by any means necessary."

He then straightened, then, and walked back to stand in front of his throne. "Also, another will join you, as I stated. He is well trained, but inexperienced in combat. My son, prince Marakai, will accompany you. Treat him as a fellow man at arms, and not as sovereign. Marakai!"

At the summons, a young dragon, perhaps Urra'vin's age or a bit younger, descended from the inclining ramp, garbed in thick, full-bodied black leather armor. At almost six-and-a-half feet, he clearly wasn't done growing yet. Red eyes observed those below him as he answered the summons, keen and sharp. He glanced at his father, and then nodded to Urra'vin.

Baalroth looked to Urra'vin as well. "He is not your superior during this mission....however."

He walked up to the younger Dragon, and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"My friend...take care of my son."

Medievarad

Urra'vin nodded to his explanation. "I am aware, my liege," he answered with a nod, leveling his gaze with Baalroth's. "An action we cannot take lightly," he agreed, inclining his head again. With a soft rustle of steel chainmail that protected the crooks of his armour, he rested his hands behind his back.

He nodded as the Blackfire King explained his wish, nodding slowly. "I'll make sure the Black Gate will be stained red with their blood," he growled softly.

As Baalroth called on his son, Marakai appearing, Urra'vin inclined his head. "It'd be my pleasure to fight alongside you, Prince Marakai," he stated before looking up again.

Baalroth took up position infront of him again, clasping a hand on his armoured shoulder. The first Flameguard nodded. "I will, like any of my men, none shall perish."

Marakai Trin

The Blackfire King nodded. "Be sure of it." He then turned to look towards the ramp, just as marakais feet touched the atrium floor.

"Marakai. To our enemies this day, you are representative of the royal family. And so, you will bring the Blackfire's Fang as your weapon." The King of the Aerie turned back to his throne - in its back was a slot, and protruding from it was an ornate hilt shaped as a Dragons mouth. He wrapped one massive hand around this hilt, abd lifted upward - with a sound like grating stone, a massive great sword appearing to be made of glass was revealed, the six-foot blade protruding from the dragons crystal maw.

Marakai was in awe - only once had he seen this blade, and never before had it been tested in battle since his father came to power. Despite its great age - even then, it was over one-thousand years old - it looked as if it had been forged yesterday.

"Father....I am honored. I wield this blade in your name." The young prince made a fist and thumped it over his heart with a bow. Baalroth moved to him.

"Stand straight, Marakai. Take up this sword. Yourself, Urra'vin, and the other Flameguard know your duty. Crosis walk with you."

"And you, as well, Father." Marakai straightened, and took the massive blade from his father's grasp. Its weight was oddly comfortable, as if he had been meant to bear it.

Little did he know....

The young prince turned from his father, and moved to stand before Urra'vin, a wry grin upon his face. "Well, now that the pomp and circumstance is done with, let's be off, shall we?"

Medievarad

[Sorry for occasional typos. Not my keyboard.]

"Not yet," Urra'vin answered. "The ceremonials are not over yet, friend," he said with a soft grin. "Flameguard! Attention!" The other Flameguard jumped into formation, the sound of gauntlets smacking against steel plating in unison echoed throughout the hallways.

"Your will shall be done, Blackfire King," Urra'vin concluded, before bowing. The other Flameguard followed his exemple. "At the central plaza in five," he commanded, before glancing towards Marakai. "Accompany me."

At that, Urra'vin turned around and left the room, shouldering the massive bearded ax.

Marakai Trin

With a motion that would become familiar to many in the coming years, Marakai hefted his Father's blade to rest on his shoulder, it's flat edge against the hard leather pauldron. He turned and offered a short bow and a nod to his father, and the king returned it with a smile.

His ears still ringing from the Flameguards clatter of steel not far from his ears, he turned to follow Urra'vin, being sure to walk on the side opposite the massive axe on his friends shoulder. Within a few deep strides, he walked abreast the other.

"Well, Urra'vin. You're my acting commander. I know the mission, but have you any idea how we'll proceed?"

Medievarad

"I will dispatch some of our lighter armoured Flameguards in for scouting, make several small pinpricks to test their defenses," he answered with a soft sigh. "We make sure their defenses are in slight disarray before we move in the main force. We'll realize this by several strikes to sabotage some of their important buildings."

He smirked softly. "We're a small force. But one to be reckoned with. That's the plan with our current knowledge. It will surely change."

Marakai Trin

"Indeed. I almost feel sorry for the little bastards. A small force, indeed...six dragons ought to be enough to send them into disarray. More, and we'll crush them. What numbers do we move with?"

Though he hadn't been 'officially' tested in battle, the young dragon had killed before. It was simplicity itself to get outside and 'surprise' one of their patrols with a royal escort. He knew more about combat than his father should ever know.

They were nearing the ground entrance to the Aerie, the massive gate left open to see the round plaza beyond. Just then, Marakai looked up to the last of the stone guardians, smirking a bit. "Even if he's not here just now, I feel like his statue watches me still. Seeing me off."

Medievarad

"As any good king, he watches over his warriors and trusts a safe return," Urra'vin answered with a soft breath, before letting out a chuckle.

Urra'vin, as he reached the plaza, lowered the axe to the ground, folding his arms and waiting for the other Flameguard to make their final preparations. "Any moment now," he jested with a morbid grin.

Several on-lookers and civillians of the aerie approached, in awe of Marakai and Urra'vin. A legendary warrior and the prince both in the same place. And soon, other Flameguard joined them. "These'll be your people, Marakai," Urra'vin snarled with the same grin, slapping his shoulder. "Smile for 'em."

Marakai Trin

"My friend, I shall do far more than smile." He grinned, and bumped Urra'vin's breastplate with a fist, before stepping forward to address the crowd.

"People of the Aerie! My friends, hear me now, not as your prince, but as a clansman like yourselves!" His voice echoed loudly in the valley, and all other general chatter suddenly hushed to listen to their prince.

"We are at war with the Tenkou! And even now, they seek to undermine us by allying themselves with our neighbors! Look now, as Urra'vin and his Flameguard lead us to stamp out their treachery! Cheer for him! Cheer for us!"

Marakai heaved the Blackfire's Fang into the air, holding it aloft so all could see the legendary weapon of their King in plain view.

The entire plaza erupted in cheers and applause, and he lowered the sword with a grin. He turned to Urra'vin, and smiled. "It is not enough to merely smile for your people. You must also make them smile for you. A lesson from my mother."

Medievarad

Urra'vin glanced at Marakai, arching an eyebrow and smirking. This should be good.

Yet, the First of the Flameguard had no idea just what Marakai was planning. He, as a notable warrior for the Aerie was rather shy and preferred to stay out of the spotlight, he could handle the looks he was given and the awestruck clansmembers when he and the Flameguard gathered.

But when Marakai drew the attention to them like that, he couldn't help but feel flustered. He said nothing, merely stood there to be admired.

He glanced back at the prince, nodding softly. "Fair enough."

Marakai Trin

The prince nodded with a smile. "Sorry to draw the fanfare to you, but, you are in charge of this mission." He adjusted the weight of the blade leaning against his shoulder, rolling his shoulder blades as he did so.

"Well, Urra'vin. Lead away. I shall follow."

Medievarad

Urra'vin shook his head. "It's nothing," he answered, letting out a soft, wry chuckle.

"Indeed," he answered as the other five Flameguard had also gathered, ready to depart.

He nodded at his fellow soldiers, before turning around and descending the massive flight of stairs, making his way out of the Aerie.

Marakai Trin

Marakai followed directly behind Urra'vin, minding the bearded axe in front of him. He wondered if the Flameguard considered anyone walking behind him, and grinned. He kept his mouth shut, though, not willing to possibly undercut him with his men about.

He walked tall, though, his blade resting behind his neck and pointed sideways so as not to bother anyone behind him.

Medievarad

The soldiers fell in line, trailing behind him. Each had their own kind of weapon. They didn't seem like a coherent military unit, more reminiscent to a mercenary unit or a taskforce.

But they were nothing but coherent. Each Flameguard knew eachothers flaws and strengths, making for a seriously impressive efficiency. Urra'vin would gladly sacrifice his life for any of these men.

And so, the unit traveled the mountains, before their target came in sight from a distance. "Set up camp, cast wards and seals," Urra'vin barked the orders, his men complying and getting to setting up their temporary base. "We make the first strike at night."

Marakai Trin

Marakai came to stand a bit behind Urra'vin, listening while he gave orders to set camp and ward the area.

When he finished, he stepped beside him. "I don't know about wards and seals, but is there anything I can do to help?"

Medievarad

"Scout out the terrain, see where we can hide, what caves are around," Urra'vin answered, glancing at Marakai. "And take care not to get seen."

Marakai Trin

Marakai nodded, and offered a salute, his fist thudding into his armored chest. "And if the caves are occupied? They are dwarves - they'll likely have many holes with troops stationed."

Medievarad

"Disengage, let it collapse on them if you need. I'd rather have less of a surprise attack than losing men on scouting missions," he glanced at Marakai. "I do not doubt your expertise, do not be mistaken. But they could call for reinforcements."

He glanced at the armour and smirked. "Also, your highness," he started. "Get some tar, cover up the crest. We do not want our foes to know who is attacking them yet." At that, the first Flameguard chuckled softly.

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