MAN OF DRAGON LOVE

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