Ch 1- The begining
–???--
Pain… Pain is temporary.
At least that is what they say. But everywhere I look there's always someone suffering. Someone hurting. No matter where I go the pain always follows like my shadow, it's become a part of me.
My mother told me there's beauty in pain but no matter how much I try to see it… I can't.
A distinct roar outside had me opening my eyes. The numerous shouts of men outside and horses panicking had me on edge as I looked to the carriage door.
We've been found.
I moved to stand and exit the carriage only to stop as my friend grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back in my seat. "Stay here!" he demanded before getting up himself to hurriedly get outside."
"But I can help!" I argued.
"no!" he snapped back, taking me by surprise. He rarely looks this concerned. "if they discover you now then everything we've lost will be for naught!"
"but-"
He cut me off once more, jumping out of the carriage. "do not leave this carriage until I say so!"
slamming the door shut I listened as he started shouting orders to get the horses under control and for the archers to notch their bows. Another screech outside had me covering my ears and I could hear the screams of both man and animal alike as the creature outside attacked them.
Flames blew past the side of the carriage lighting the small space up in an orange glow. The small curtain covering the window was scorched in an instant as hot air filled the small space. I covered my head as if to shield myself from the heat and I tried to ignore the anguished cries of those outside as they burned alive.
The scent of smoke and burning flesh filled my nose and I squeezed my eyes shut trying to drown it out. He told me to stay. If I go out there now they'll know. I have to stay calm, They can handle a single drago-
I yelped as my carriage was suddenly hit by something and rolled onto its side, throwing me from my seat in the process. I hit the siding and groaned as I sat up. The side door above me was hanging open and I could see the claw marks that raked across the once elegantly painted wood.
Another roar and screams from men outside had me gritting my teeth and standing up. I can't stay in here, not when I know I can help them! I climbed up to the open door and managed to crawl out of the flipped carriage.
Looking around I was horrified by the sight before me. The surrounding forest was on fire. I could see a shadow overhead breathing fire down upon a group of knights burning them to a crisp and lighting up the night sky. A horse that had been set on fire ran past along with a few stragglers trying to flee the dragon's merciless slaughter.
Looking around for my guard I saw him close by lying injured in the dirt road. The beast attacking us flew down and landed in the clearing And any nearby soldiers rushed towards it with their weapons only to get swiped by it's serrated tail.
The beast's glowing green eyes turned to me and narrowed as I stared back at it in shock. The fire reflected on the dark green scales across the beast's body as it stalked closer to the carriage boarding its fangs. Opening its maw I could see the glow coming from its throat before it spewed fire towards me.
—1 day later—
–Cassian–
"Get out and stay out! Don't come back without money!" the bar owner shouted before slamming the door in my face.
"great… Now where am I supposed to get a drink…"
A snort grabbed my attention and I looked back to see a pair of dark eyes looking right back at me. "what? Don't give me that look seva I was going to pay him back!"
Seva shook his head before digging at the ground with his hoof impatiently as I walked over and untied his reigns. "I don't need judgment from a horse Too…"
I quickly mounted him and clicked my tongue before steering him towards the edge of town to start heading home. "I really need to get some spare coins."
We left the bustling streets and headed out deep into the woods away from civilization. The dirt road was long and winding, lit by what little sunlight was able to peek through the trees above.
We continued to make our way home by following the road. It takes at least a few hours to get there from town by horseback but at least the scenery makes up for it… The lush vibrant forest was alive and thriving with birds and other small critters running around; everything was calm and peaceful, as it should be.
Adjusting myself on the saddle I looked up towards the sky, as I started thinking to myself. I only have enough food and supplies to last a week so I need to find a quick and easy job to rack up a few coins. Maybe if I hunted some small pests nearby…
The thought brought back old memories of my job before. I used to never have to worry about going hungry or not having supplies and a place to sleep, Because a single job usually paid me enough to last one to three months.
Towns and lords alike would flock to me with job offers and promises of gold if I helped them. But now? Now people avoid me like a sickness and shun me. They blame me for their problems saying my kind is responsible for the war…Things were so much simpler before all this started. Before the dragons decided to wipe humans out.
My mood turned sour at the memories. So much blood and fire. So many families torn apart and killed, innocent lives slaughtered and towns burned to the ground. So many of my kin were killed by the bloodthirsty creatures, I somewhat doubt there's anyone left.
My clan… A Once renowned group of dragon slayers, wiped out with the last remaining survivors considered outcasts. If that wasn't bad enough to be hated by dragons, being hated by your own kind is a much worse predicament…
Looking down at my sword handle covered in wraps I grabbed it and traced my thumb over the dragon slayer crest hidden underneath the cloth. Nowadays I have no choice but to roam and survive off scraps while also avoiding any dragons in the area.
Being hated and shunned by humans isn't as bad as being hunted down by giant fire breathing lizards. sighing, I closed my eyes to enjoy the breeze.
Seva grunted and started whining to draw my attention and I opened my eyes watching his reactions curiously as he grew more anxious. Reaching down I started patting his neck to calm him down some. "easy…"
Another gust of wind hit me carrying the scent of smoke and I quickly became more alert, looking up at the path ahead.
There was nothing strange that stood out from the beaten dirt road or the forest but the smell in the air said otherwize, so where is it coming from?
There's not another village or anything for days, and I doubt anyone would be traveling these roads.
We slowed to a stop and I debated on going around to avoid whatever lay waiting ahead of us, we've been traveling for hours and we're close to the cabin… Should I just cut through the forest?
I looked up to the sky for any signs of shadows but there was nothing noticeable through the trees.
Seva whined again, digging at the ground impatiently. I smell smoke but don't see anything in the distance. I bit my tongue trying to decide before internally cursing at myself. My curiosity is going to get me killed.
Clicking my tongue I urged Seva to push forward, the closer we got the more intense the smell of smoke and burned flesh became.
It didn't take long to come across the source in a clearing along the path, the trees around the area were completely torched and multiple burned corpses littered the ground, both human and horse alike. The path was scorched by fire and I could see a burned down carriage flipped on its side in the middle of the road.
Fuck…these guys were slaughtered. I looked around the area trying to figure out what might have happened or who these people were but everything was burned beyond recognition and there were no survivors.
What were they even doing out here? And with such a large band of men with a carriage, they practically made themselves into a moving target.
Going over to the carriage I could see it was torn apart and was engulfed in flames, no doubt whoever was inside was dead.
Something shiny caught my attention and I looked over to see something sticking out of the dirt and ash. Dismounting from seva I stepped over and kneeled down to pick it up. It was a blade, with a royal crest engraved on its handle.
Where have I seen this before? I looked over the engraving carefully before laying the sword to rest among the ashes and glancing around once more. I shouldn't stick around that dragon could still be patrolling the area.
I glanced around the field deep in thought before jumping back on my horse and making my way back to the cabin.
Once I arrived I hitched seva to a post and removed his saddle before going inside and lighting the fireplace. The sun was setting and I was tired from the walk. Removing my leathers I got in bed and stared at the ceiling waiting for sleep to take over.
I couldn't help but think about the scene I came across earlier. Why would a royal entourage be out here in the middle of nowhere? Silence was my answer as the fireplace cracked and burned across the room.
Why am I so bothered by it? It's not like I have any reason to care anymore, my dragon hunting days are over. No one wants me around and I don't want to be involved with those creatures anymore.
Scoffing, I closed my eyes to get some sleep.
—Next morning—
The sound of a horse crying and panicking jolted me awake and I sat up confused. "seva?" groaning at the splitting headache I felt I grabbed my head. Damn hangovers.
Seva neighed again clearly distressed and I quickly got out of bed and grabbed my sword before rushing to the door. I swear if someones trying to steal my horse again ill-
I froze on the spot once I saw a knight dressed in armor stumbling towards my cabin. Half his body was burned and I could see blood on his armor from a wound on his leg. He was hunched over carrying someone on his back as he approached and seva was freaking out trying to pull away from the two.
The knight looked up at me before falling to one knee panting. "please…help us…"
