Dragon Knight of Eldaria

Albion, Caerleon, 55th Year Reign of Artorius Pendragon

It felt like centuries had passed since the war against the Dragon Overlords during the Age

of Dragons. Born from a noble mother and to a dragon, Uther the White Dragon

Lord. Artorius was the first Draconid to exist in the world. It was because of

this power that he was able to fight against the dragons that plagued the land,

yet he could not do it alone. In order to accomplish this he enlisted the aid

of a few knights and his best friend Myrddin, the most powerful sorcerer who

had ever lived in that era. After their victory over the dragons Artorius and

his companions would be instrumental in unifying all of Albion to push back the

incursions of the raiding Vikgardians.

Thanks to this act

Artorius was crowned High King of Albion and with that he brought peace to the

realm. It did not last forever as a usurper, his own son Medraut, tried to take

his thrown and even though Artorius was successful it came at a great cost.

Within the castle walls of Caerleon, Artorius would find himself wandering through

the halls remembering happier simpler days and now he felt there was nothing

left for him save for his only heir. After these strolls he would eventually

find himself in a wooded sanctuary enclosed within the walls of the castle.

From there he would look upon a grave that bore the inscription.

"Morgiana, First Queen of United Albion"

Artorius looked

upon the grave for sometime until his train of thought was interrupted by a

presence. Thankfully this presence held no malice or thoughts of murder and

knew that it was someone that was trying to give him space, but that was not

what he needed right now.

"You can come out

now old friend," Artorius said.

There was a small

subtle breeze of the wind and when he turned around there was a man standing in

front of him. He wore strange robes that glittered like the night sky and bore

a staff that was emitting magical energy. The man himself looked youthful with

fair skin and a square jaw, save for the gray streaks on his brown hair, but he

carried himself as if he lived many years now. The most distinguishing features

about him were his silver eyes.

"I am sorry I did

not wish to disturb you," he said.

"It is not a bother

Myrddin. I prefer the company" Artorius replied staring back at the gravestone.

"I wish she was

here too. I wish everyone were all here" Myrddin said.

"With all that has

happened I feel ashamed to even be king or even if I deserve to hold the title

after what transpired in the civil war."

"Sire?" Myrddin

asked.

"Along with the

death of many of our companions and my wife I was forced to kill my eldest son

Medraut and I couldn't save my sister Elaine."

"That was not your

fault Artorius. Mages were being hunted and killed. The other kings knew that

your power did not extend to their lands hence you could do nothing no matter

how much Elaine tried to get you involved." Myrddin said.

"I thought by

sending one of my trusted knights as a messenger that these hunts would cease.

When they did not my sister took action by killing a king from another land.

Even when they demanded her head I goaded her to be an outlaw and save as many

mages as she could and bring them to Caerleon. Yet she was led astray by Rowena

who only wanted to use Elaine's talents for her own end."

"Be glad that

Gringelot was there to stop her from going any further with those attacks."

"Gringelot. I lost

a good friend too because of my inaction" Artorius argued.

"We can continue

throwing blame, but no matter how we look at it we were fooled. Even my powers

of foresight could not see what was to come. Rowena was devious and powerful,

but now she is dead. Let us just be thankful that the realm is now at peace"

said Myrddin.

"Yet for how long?

So much is changing now that the dragons are gone. I hear that there is a new

religion that is surfacing dedicated to Nimue and to the south there are those

claiming a Creator to be the one true god. How long until we are fighting

amongst ourselves about what religion we should practice? If I am being honest

this all sounds like a farce. Do you know anything about this?"

"I know very little

at this time sire. Besides I thought it best that I do not get involved due to

my history with Nimue. I would rather not make any rash decision based on the

ravings of mad men" Myrddin replied.

"True enough. How

is my younger son?" Artorius asked trying o change the subject.

"He is doing well.

He has completed many trials while gaining the support of the Archdukes and the

people. The kings from the other realms see him as a more appropriate

successor. He has even mastered that new form of magic your sister created,

Dragonslayer Magic" Myrddin replied.

"I'm glad. I was

not sure if he would be able to handle that kind of magic since it can over

come the user if used too much."

"Let us be thankful

Morgiana. She was of the fey folk after all. So her bloodline mixed with yours

will allow all your descendants to be able to wield the power of Dragonslayer

Magic. Although there are fewer dragons to fight, it will still be an

instrumental skill for them to know. I have foreseen it and it will be a long

reign for the House of Pendragon" Myrddin explained.

"I thank you

Myrddin. I'm glad to know that my House will endure, but I think it might be

time for me to step down and hand the kingdom over to my son."

"Sire?" Myrddin asked passively.

"I have barely aged

for some time thanks to my heritage and I have ruled for fifty-five years now.

If I rule any longer other parties might grow suspicious and even try to take

the throne for themselves and another civil war will occur. I did not want a

kingdom where others would constantly be fighting for power."

"They won't. I will

make sure of it as will your heirs. You will be needed elsewhere" Myrddin

replied.

"It would seem I

was always needed. You do not seem so surprised that I wish to step down. Am I

to believe that you foresaw this event?" Artorius said.

"Yes I did and many

others. I have already made preparations for those events. I pray that my

involvement will be of some assistance to those who will need it."

"That reminds me.

Were you able to locate the amulets?" Artorius asked.

"The amulets have

all been recovered. Now it is just a matter of sealing them away. At this time

it would not be wise to search for new bearers."

"I understand.

Better that they be hidden than allow them to fall into unworthy hands."

"There will be

others to claim the burden one day, but not for a long time, old friend" said

Myrddin.

As Myrddin

finished his explanation Artorius clenched the golden hilt of his own sword.

The sword was dubbed "Caliburn" and combined with the soul of a dragon and the

magic of the fey folk, it was considered one of the most powerful weapons in

existence. Even so, with his kingdom fully established and with others to carry

on the torch Artorius now felt sure he could leave it in the capable hands of

his oldest friend and son.

It would be a new

day not just for Albion, but for Artorius as well. After finishing the last of

his duties as king and saying farewell to his son, Artorius stood from his

throne, placed his crown on the throne, took up Caliburn and walked out of the

castle and into the city with nothing but travelling cloths and a few days

worth of food. He strode down the path towards the market square where folk

bartered with loud voices, while hearing the merrymaking of children playing in

the streets as he had done in his youth many years before. Further down the

road he saw men gambling or sparring with one another while womenfolk gossiped

amongst each other about their day. Artorius saw life continuing on, in all its

glory as he walked by unnoticed by all.

Through the iron

gates he walked, seeing carts rumble past bringing trade and wealth into his

growing city. On the fields he saw men and women on either side sowing seeds

from baskets. He saw sheep and goats grazing peacefully while being watched by

the shepherds. He passed foresters as they cleared the roads of fallen branches

and laid traps for game and as he passed through the forest he looked back and

saw a massive kingdom, which were connected by roads in all directions. Through

this the kingdom would thrive from the spread of news and prosperity. From his

own efforts, Artorius was able to unite the ten kingdoms together to form one.

Yet he knew that the unity he created was more than one man and any one

dynasty, even if there was a king to rule them all.

"So beautiful is it

not?" Artorius asked.

"Quite so sire"

said Myrddin, who appeared from behind.

"I did not think

you would notice me gone."

"I will always keep

an eye on you Artorius" Myrddin replied.

"But now its time

you watch my son. He will need you in the days ahead" Artorius replied.

"He is capable. He

has proven to be a worthy heir."

"Yes, Albion will

require the heirs of the Dragon and yet even a king might struggle. The kingdom

will not just need a king, but heroes. Everyone who fights and bleeds to

protect Albion can be a hero as well no matter their station" Artorius said.

"Truer words old

friend. I pray that these heroes you speak of will rise to the challenge."

"Do you have any

final words for me Myrddin?" Artorius asked.

"I will say but

this, that it has been a privilege to have known you Artorius Pendragon. The

journey we have shared will live long in the minds of man for centuries to

come."

"I pray we see each

other again. In this life or at the Gates of Avalon" said Artorius.

"You will see me

again, in one form or another" Myrddin replied.

With that the

former High King of Albion walked away never looking back once. Where he would

go no one was sure, but it was for the best since now that he had disappeared

their enemies hiding in the shadows would have to rethink any plans that they

might have had. In time Myrddin would deal with these shadows, but as Artorius

had said there must be heroes as well as kings. Myrddin glanced into the

horizon until Artorius disappeared from view then Myrddin looked back into the

lands of Albion.

"Now then, it would

seem that I have much work to attend to. No rest for the weary it would seem"

he chuckled.