Legacy: The Dragons Gift

In a thick green forest in the Land of Adriav a small village called Riverwood sits constructed from trees and river rocks and mud as an independent settlement in Adriav away from the castle life it was a quieter life complete with its own blacksmith and armory.

A thirteen year old boy works in the blacksmith shop with his father The boys name was Liam he was a fairly tall at least six foot one and fit boy with leathery skin, blue eyes a pointy chin And Long blonde hair that went down a little passed his shoulder wearing a white tunic and black pants with black leather boots. Liam was well liked in the village as he was known to build high quality tools and weapons for the people of the village also was known for his skill with a sword. Liam's father, an older man aged fifty years old with long stringy grey hairs and blue eyes walks into the blacksmith shop. "Liam how many swords do we have made?" Liam's father asked, looking at the rack and large table full of long Swords and Short swords.

"All together we have seventy long Swords and seventy Short swords made plus an Extra one." Liam said as he pulled out a custom made scimitar his father seeing this smiled. "So my boy you finally made your own sword it's a beauty." Liam's father said smiling his son was all he had left I'm the world.

"Liam I hate asking you to do this but I need you to train Creedy how to fight." Liam gave a disappointed groan as Creedy was the village idiot a fifteen year old troublemaker with dark color skinny build and brown hair he kept in dreadlocks.. "Yes father." Liam said looking down.

"If he gives you problems teach him a lesson" Liam's father smiled watching his son grab his scimitar and his bow and arrow heading to find Creedy. Liam found Creedy waiting for him at the edge of the village. "Hey Liam." Creedy said his voice was just as annoying as ever as the sound of it pounded inside Liam's skull. "Father sent me to train you to defend yourself ." Liam said Creedy just rolled his eyes.

"What is there to teach?" Creedy asked, looking at Liam's Scimitar. "Plenty Creedy you need to learn you go into battle swinging wildly you will die." Liam said drawing his Scimitar as Creedy drew his Longsword. "Let's spar Creedy show me what you know." Liam says looking at Creedy who attacks high Liam blocks and using Creedy's momentum to counter attack quickly. "Remember Creedy blocking attacks creates openings openings are how you end a fight." Liam said pulling his blade back. "How do you no so much about Sword combat Liam?" Creedy asked Slashing low only to have Liam block his attack again and kick him in the chest causing Creedy to stagger back. "Before my father became the leader of this village was a mercenary very skilled with swords he passed that knowledge on to me." Liam said as he looked at Creedy who came with another Slash as the two continued to spar Liam teaching Creedy how to create openings Liam blocked another high strike and grabbed Creedy's sword by its blade pulling it out of his hand.

"That's enough for today you did good." Liam Dropped Creedy's sword. "Get it sharppend and practice your strikes and your form." Liam said as he took off into the woods Liam walked a good five miles into the woods Liam taking in scenery the lush green forest the sounds of wildlife Liam loved his home in Adriav, Liam then heard a noise that did not sound like an animal it sounded like men Liam followed the sound noticing three barbarians with something large trapped in a net Liam readied his bow he silently moved closer raising his bow he pulled back releasing the arrow it flew through the air plunging into one of the Barbarians chest he dropped to the ground dead Liam readied another arrow when one of the Two remaining barbarians spotted him giving a fierce war cry Liam didn't think he just pulled back and releases the. Arrow flew through the air with speed power plunging into the jugular the man choking and gasping for air as blood filled his mouth the third man drew his broadsword and charged Liam who drew his Scimitar meeting the man's blade stopping it the barbarian punched Liam in the face the man's fist feeling like it was made of stone Liam tasted blood in his mouth as he looked at the man who went for a High Slash Liam blocked stopping his sword in its track and spitting blood in the man's eyes Liam took his Sword and plunged it into the man's heart the man fell silent and limp as he dropped his sword the blade scraped against Liam's right quadricep cutting it open deeply Liam let out a growl of pain. "Hello are you ok?" A strong Female voice came from near the net.

"Yes I'm fine just a flesh wound." Liam said he knew it was a lie as walked up to the man he pulled his sword from the mans chest and made his way to the net the blood pouring down his right leg from the open cut reaching the net he cut the creature free of the net the creature rose to twenty feet tall and was twenty feet long with a long neck, a wedge shaped head, four paws, wings, a tail tipped with spines, a pair of wings, golden eyes and blue and red scales covering its body.

"Thank you little one my name is Azura." The dragon said stretching its wings Liam watched in amazement. "Well aren't you going to run?" Azura asked confused as to why this human child has not run away from her. "Well Ms. Azura it would be rude to save your life and run away." Liam said Azura was happy to hear this nuzzled him noticing the blood pooling by his right foot.

"Sit down Liam you're bleeding pretty badly I can help." Azura said picking up the barbarians broadsword and using her fire breath to heat the blade up until it was red hot. "Sorry in advance Liam this is really going to hurt." Azrua says offering her free paw for Liam to hold as she placed the red hot steel on Liam's bloody Right leg using the heat from the blade to close the cut on Liam's leg who cried silent tears from the pain while squeezing her other paw. Trying to take his mind off the pain he thought about something to read about dragons and decided to ask to keep his mind off the pain. "Azura I read once that dragons have two hearts is that true?" Liam asked wincing at the pain from the hot steel on his leg. "Yes it is all dragons have two heart's and a dragon can save a life by giving one of the hearts to a dying human.''Azura said as she finished up with Liam's Leg.

"There Liam the bleeding stopped." Azura said as she lowered her head nuzzling the boy. "How did those barbarians catch you?" Liam asked hoping this question would not anger the dragon. "Luck I was hunting and they got lucky." Azura said, looking at the bodies. "I'm sorry that you had to do that.''Azura said shaking her head Liam felt a tinge of guilt in his soul. "It feels different then I thought it would." Liam said Azura hearing this smiled. "To take another life is never easy." Azura said as Liam smiled this isn't the last time I will have to take a life these barbarians and their king have been threatening my village any day now they will attack we will defend ourselves." Liam said Azura looked at him smiling as she felt the honor in his soul. "His heart knows only virtue, His blade defends the helpless, His might upholds the weak, His word speaks only truth, His wrath undoes the wicked." Azura said Liam looked at her. "My father told me the same code he used to be a mercenary he told me he never took a job that involved taking from the poor, the weak or the desperate." Liam said, looking at Azura. "Your father is good man." Azrua said her golden eyes showing truth in what she said. "He is a great man, he's our village chief." Liam said thinking of his father with great respect. "As you will be one day young one." Liam smiled hearing this hugging Azura. "I'm only thirteen I've got a long way to go." Liam said as she nuzzled him. "Yes but you speak with wisdom the wisdom of a honorable king." Azura said Liam smiling his soul feeling bright from Azrua's kind words.''Dragons are wise and merciful thank you for Tending to my leg." Liam said the pain in his leg now subsiding enough for him to stand Azura watching him. "Liam you're welcome just so you know you are welcome here anytime my friend." Liam nodded heading back to the village reaching the village he goes inside his home where his father is sitting in the living room.

"Get any deer? Liam's father asked hoping to hear some good news from his son. "No but I did find three barbarians they were trying to kill a dragon." Liam said his father slowly taking a drink of ale. "They were in the woods?" His father asked concerned. "They were I killed them in the name of the village and I saved Azura." Liam said before taking a drink of water sitting down next to his father. "Liam it's good you are merciful but I'm still sorry you had to do that at your age." His father said placing his hand on his son's right shoulder. "His heart knows only virtue, His blade defends the helpless, His might upholds the weak, His word speaks only truth,His wrath undoes the wicked." Liam said his father smiling hearing the words. "My code." His father said proudly looking his son in the eye. "It's the way you taught me it is what I believe in." Liam replied when a warcry erupted from outside causing Liam and his father looked at each other grabbing their swords running out the door seeing the barbarians hulking muscular frames with long greasy black , brown and blonde hair brown leather armor big thick beards red and white warpaint on their faces and broadswords attacking their village.

Each selecting a target both father and son out matching each barbarians with their skill in sword fighting Liam's father cutting down barbarian after barbarian with slashes to the throat while Liam use what he could his youthful quickness blocking several attacks from multiple attackers decapitating one of them and stabbing one of them in the throat blood coating his sword and his white tunic stained with blood looking around the barbarians were in greater numbers fought and slaughtered everyone in their path he watched Creedy kill a barbarian and run off into the woods Liam continued fighting the cut on his leg starting to ache and throb with pain ignoring it he finished of another barbarian his blade embedding into the man's skull brain and blood flowing out around Liam's sword Liam lifted his sword out of the man's head hearing his father groan in pain looking to his left he saw his father in his knees clutching his right side bleeding Liam ran over standing in front of his father glaring at the barbarians.

"Liam get out of here son run."Liam's father Said knowing what was coming. "Not without you father." Liam said not wanting to abandon his father and his village to these savages when a very tall barbarian stepped forward. "Yes Liam run abandon your father and your home to the great Lord Radgash." The man said Liam looked at this man he was tall at least six foot eleven looked like he weight three hundred pounds of pure muscle with golden eyes Long Silver hair with a thick bushy beard that went down to the middle of his back brown leather pants no shirt showing his scar ridden body off as a trophy as he was armed with a broadsword Liam glared at this man with hatred and anger. "Who the Fuck are you?!" Liam growled great venom and hatred in his voice. "Mordecai your son has quite the mouth on him maybe I should teach him a lesson." Radgash growled raising his broadsword as Liam gave a scoff of disappointment. "Bring it you old bastard." Liam growled raising his scimitar twirling it around in his right hand Radgash laughed. "Men do not interfere this little shit is mine." Radgash said his voice sounding like a dragons growl. Radgash attacks Liam with a downward vertical slash Liam blocks and counters with a high slash that causes the tip of Liam's sword to catch Radgash across the left cheek the pain making Radgash laugh as he felt the hot blood run down his left cheek . "You know what your doing I'll give you that Liam." Radgash said watching Liam's every movement.

"I am my father's son." Liam sneered attacking Radgash with a upward diagonal slash that Radgash blocks both combatants attack and block in a flurry of movement the sound of clashing metal blades filling the air Liam kicks Radgash in the Face causing him to stagger back before Liam finishes the attack off with a sword slash across the chest Radgash smiled touching the blood running down his chest with his fingers licking the blood off his fingers growling at the taste. "Indeed you are he has taught you but everything you know about swordsmanship and i taught him but I didn't teach him everything that I know." Radgash and Liam started another dazzling display each attacking and blocking each other in turn once more the sound of clashing metal filling the air Radgash ends this hitting Liam in the forehead with a back elbow opening a cut on Liam's forehead allowing blood to pour out and flow down his face flowing in to his eyes obscuring his vision with thick red blood stinging his eyes causing him to wipe his eyes. "What the hell are you on about Radgash my father would never run with the likes of you." Liam growled the blood now in his mouth causing him to spit blood the taste of iron and salt still lingering in his mouth. "I guess he never told you before he believed in the code he was my student I taught him how to fight everything he knows and you know about swordsmanship and combat he learned from me." Radgash started another sequence attacking Liam with attacks this time striking harder and faster Liam still managing to block each and every attack his entire face covered in blood Radgash hits Liam with a right handed punch to the gut following it up with a right knee to the face staggering Liam back Radgash then looked at Mordecai as he used some form of magic to make vines wrap around Liam's wrist and ankles restraining and Liam and suspending him off the ground Radgash then looked at Liam walking over to him giving him a evil smile and looked at Mordecai then back to Liam. "The thing Is Liam this was never a fair fight it was rigged from the start." Radgash growled again sounding like the Growl of a dragon smiling a cruel and evil smile at Liam before plunging his sword in to Liam's chest Liam feeling pain at first as everything went cold when Radgash pulled his blade out as Mordecai watched in shock seeing his only child stabbed by his former mentor watching the blood pour out of Liam's chest, Radgash turned and looked at Mordecai. "I'm not going to kill you yet I'm gonna keep you breathing for a few more years let you stew on what just happened here put him in the Wagon and burn the village to the ground." Radgash said as he released Liam from his vine like restraints allowing his body to fall to the ground on his back unconscious and with shallow breathing while the rest of the men loaded Mordecai up, picked up Liam's Sword and Set fire to the village leaving before the village even burned completely down.

Azura walked out of her cave thinking of the meeting she had earlier with Liam as she thought about what he said about his village soon being attacked she cried as she looked back at her cave looking at her clutch of eggs and how any day now they would hatch and she was to become a mother thinking of her destiny she caught a strong odor in the air sniffing she realized it was the smell of smoke and blood her eyes went wide and tear filled smelling the blood and realizing that it was Liam's blood she took off her massive wings flapping loudly through the air as she flew towards a orange glow in the middle of the forest. Reaching the village quickly a she looked around frantically for Liam seeing wooden buildings burning out of control and their stone chimneys cracking from the heat and tasting the smoke and fire on her tongue as she searched all over the village finally finding Liam in the center of the village she nuzzled him gently he weakly placed his right hand on Azura's snout showing he was alive Azura felt relieved but only for a second as she noticed the wound in his chest knowing what needed to be done She grabbed him in her front paws very gently flying back towards her cave quickly. "Azu..." Liam tried to speak but the pain in his chest stopped him from speaking. "Shhh little one it's ok I'm going to help you." Azura said fighting back tears from seeing Liam hurt like this, upon reaching her cave she walked inside and gently placed Liam down on the stone floor cutting away his blood stained white tunic, Liam whimpered feeling the pain in his chest and his vision started to go blurry. Azura lifted her paw placing a claw on her blue scaled chest groaning in discomfort as she gently sliced into her chest her red Dragon's Blood oozing on to her blue scales Liam watched In aww as she pulled out her second heart looking at it while it beat with life I'm her right paw then looking to Liam. "This will only hurt for a moment little one." Azura said taking her free paw and placing one claw on his chest removing his damaged heart watching him stop moving and placing the second dragon heart in his chest watching as it connected to his body hearing him breathe in she closed the wound with her fire breath looking at him smiling seeing him breath. "Sleep little one sleep." She said curling her body around Liam and the eggs falling asleep herself.