Chapter 12.2. Silver Dragons.

– Dragons back then numbered in several hundreds. They all hunted in their forest for prey, but all used the same water source – Angel Lake. King, seduced by his lover’s whispers and promises, hired Assassin guild. They poisoned water of the lake. At first dragon fell ill, but then they started dying by dozens. Soon, none survived. Even worse, king, fearing revenge of future generations, did something unforgivable, – small smile appeared on Dravid’s face: – A sin that forever darkened his soul.

 

The figures in black crept through twisting passages, their footsteps muffled by soft-soled boots. The air grew heavy with dust and age, as they approached deepest chamber within cave.

At last, they reached entrance to great nest – a vast expanse of smooth stones, warmed by lingering heat, which dragonkind once called home. Dozens upon dozens eggs lay scattered across ground, their leathery surfaces shimmering faintly in flickering torchlight.

A leader emerged from shadows, his face obscured behind dark hood.

– Begin, – he commanded softly.

Assassins sprang into action with practiced efficiency, each moving swiftly towards nearest cluster of unborn wyrms. Hands reached out cruelly, gripping delicate shells tightly, as they began methodical task at hand.

Snap! One after another, dragon eggs shattered beneath merciless blows – their potential obliterated, before eyes could open upon world for first time.

For each fallen shell came faint cry of life extinguished too soon. But assassins showed no remorse, driven forward by promise of gold and king’s unspoken orders alike.

It took hours to complete horrific deed. By end, nest lay in ruins – nothing but broken fragments that once held future generations strong.

The leader nodded in grim satisfaction, turning away without backward glance, as if to deny horror they had wrought:

– Our work here is done, – he proclaimed: – Let us depart this place… and pray our souls remain forever unscathed, by sins committed beneath moonless sky.

With heavy hearts and stained hands, assassins retreated from cave – leaving only echoes and whispers of unborn wyrms to fill cavernous space behind them.

 

– But king’s dream turned out to be empty promises. Silver dragons cared not for gold, nor artifacts. Kings men found nothing in their caves. Just empty lairs. And then the truth came out.

 

Michael burst into king’s chambers, his face etched with fury. The ruler, caught off-guard by intrusion, let out a startled cry.

– What is meaning of this? – King demanded angrily.

– But it seems your little tryst has come to an end, – Michael replied coldly.

The archangel pointed sword towards king’s lover who stood frozen in shock.

– Reveal yourself demon-spawn! – he commanded.

With a hiss, the woman began to transform – her skin darkening, horns sprouting from brow, as she grew taller before eyes. In moments, what remained was no longer alluring mistress, but fearsome succubus instead.

– Guilty of seducing mortal flesh, – Michael declared grimly: – You’ve conspired against heavens themselves!

The demon hissed defiantly, baring sharp teeth in rage. But Michael wasted no time on words. With swift stroke, blade arced through air – separating head from body even as scream faded to silence.

King watched in horror, realizing true depths of betrayal he had fallen prey too. The promise of eternal power now lay shattered at feet – replaced by bitter knowledge of manipulation, which had driven every choice he made, along path of destruction and betrayal.

 

– King’s lover was a spy sent by demon emperor. She succeeded at her task. Kingdom’s strongest allies were dead – all of them, killed by king’s hands. King and Michael buried the truth. Buried it beneath Iron Mountains, in a former dwarf iron mine. Locked behind door, which can be opened only by one key.

 

Michael sealed the door with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through dank tunnels. He turned to face king, his eyes hard as flint.

– This is your doing, – the archangel spat, disgust evident in every word: – Your greed and lust have brought ruin upon kingdom once great.

The ruler hung his head in shame, knowing truth of Michael’s harsh judgment. Yet even now, a flicker of defiance still burned within his heart.

– People cannot know what truly happened here, – Michael continued grimly: – The truth would tear our lands asunder – leave them vulnerable to demons’ machinations. And your daughter as well. You will erase her from history – never she will be mentioned and never she will take step on these lands.

He held out key, its metal cold against king’s trembling fingers.

– Keep this safe, –  Michael warned sternly: – Do not let anyone discover secrets buried beneath these mountains!

The archangel stepped back then, his wings rustling softly as if eager to take flight from scene of wickedness wrought by mortal hands.

– Let us agree upon tale to tell our people – some plague struck down dragons while they slept.

 Michael’s lips twisted mocking smile.

– It is not entirely untrue… just missing few key details.

With those parting words,  the archangel turned away, leaving king alone with burden of his sins. As footsteps faded into distance, ruler stood motionless – weighing heavy choices ahead, remembering the innocent smile of his daughter Rhea.

 

– But dragon’s eggs have magic of their own, – continued Dravid: – They need heat to hatch, but without it can survive a millennia. One egg survived. Eighteen centuries later, an adventurer accidentally found it. He sold it to an aristocrat, who gifted it to a king, grandfather of queen Elizabeth. King gave the egg to his only son. Dragon hatched and king and dragon became best friends. But then tragedy struck again.

 

The small silver dragon and young prince frolicked together, their laughter echoing through sunlit meadow. The boy, not yet eight years old, giggled as the wyrm nuzzled him affectionately with snout.

But peace was short-lived. Suddenly, a shadow fell across field – an ominous presence that sent chills down spines of all who witnessed it.

A Guivre, serpentine monster, which many mistake for a dragon, descended from heavens, its serpentine body undulating through air. The monster’s head swiveled, crimson eyes zeroing in on prince and dragon with predatory hunger.

The boy’s nanny and guards sprang into action, shields raised to protect young charge at any cost. But even as they charged forth bravely… it was clear – battle would be one-sided affair.

With a flick of tail, Guivre sent guard flying backwards – their bodies crumpling against ground in heap of broken flesh. Nanny tried valiantly to interpose herself before monster, but met same swift end within moments’ time…

The prince screamed in horror, watching those meant to safeguard him fall so easily, beneath creature’s onslaught. But then… silver dragon reared up protectively, a fierce roar issuing from throat.

Wyrm lunged at Guivre, fangs bared as they grappled mid-air – their struggles casting shadows upon meadow below, like macabre dance of death itself…

In end though, only one emerged victorious. Guivre crashed down earth – unmoving, save for erratic twitches. Silver dragon lay beside it – its chest rising and falling weakly, scales stained crimson.

The boy ran to friend’s side, tears streaming face as he knelt next wounded creature.

– No! No, no, no! – prince sobbed desperately: – Please don’t leave me!

But even as tears fell…silver dragon’s eyes dimmed – life fading fast from body, rent apart saving prince’s own…