Order Of the Dragon, chapter 1
 

Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

Alyia watched as Dragon Lord Lykouleon left the meeting hall, flanked by his two most trusted knights, carrying himself tall, as always.

Lord Lykouleon had just informed the Dragon Officers of details of their newest task: Head south through the checkpoint town of Charos, all the way to the dreaded Demon Lord's domain, Naelgorth, and defeat Demon Lord Nadil, a man whose name alone sent chills down the spines of the peace-loving residents of Draqueen.

Alyia shuddered at the Dragon Lord's command, "return with Nadil's head." She figured it was symbolic, to prove that the Demon Lord's reign was over, but the thought of carrying that head back all the way from Naelgorth to Draqueen seemed a bit... barbaric.

<Oh well, I'll get one of these other shmuks to carry the head.> She thought, looking around at the rest of the Dragon Officers.

(OOC: Take this moment to kind of introduce your character to the story, Some of the Dragon Officers will most likely know each other, while others are either new, or just distant.)

Artemis glanced over at Alyia, but his mind was on the enormity of the task set before him. Penetrate deep into enemy territory. Hit him where he was strongest, then come back with his head. And it was just him and... He looked around. The other Dragon Officers didn't seem too capable, but he was also acutely aware that he was hardly a paragon of puissance.

He sighed and thought out loud.

"This can't be good."

Tyril, who was leaning against a wall in the back, nods, then answers Artemis, "no, that it can't. Luckily, if we aren't noticed, this job gets a lot easier. I for one, am not too eager to have to leave the palace for that long. Still, at least the company shall be intersting." He finishes his last comment with a smirk, then stands up and stretches his wings.

Wen was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest, attempting to look as masculine as possible. Unfortunately, all this gestured really accomplished was hiding the fact that his chest, was, in fact, flat. Also unfortunate, was that he didn't realize this. Nor did he realize that his naturally effeminate voice, didn't exactly sound like a man even when he tried to make it deep, but rather sounded like a woman trying to sound like a man, trying to sound like a woman trying to sound like a man. In short, it sounded weird, but certainly not masculine. "Well... guess we might as well get this over with," he said.

He figured sounding tough was a pretty masculine thing as well, and he really didn't feel like being groped by a bunch of strange men for the remainder of his, most likely, short life.

Karith was feeling very out of place at the moment. He had just gotten to the palace a few days ago and he was still uncomfortable with this kind of hospitality. While he didn't know how to respond to any of the negative comments that were coming up all over the place, he knew that he would have to endure anything that would be going on for quite a while.

Now if only I could get out of this place and get back home, he thought, feelings of homesickness starting to work their way into him. He let out a silent sigh and went back to figuring out what he was going to do when he and the other Dragon Officers went on their assignment.

"You got a point, strange man leaning against the wall. Well, if you ask me, I think we'd be able to get through this better if we worked together. I'll start by introducing myself."

Artemis paused to clear his throat.

"I am Artemis, mageknight, and until a few days before I was what I'd like to call a musha shugyo - a warrior pilgrimage. And when I accepted Lord Lykouleon's offer, I was thinking, 'what better way is there to test oneself than to defeat the most villainous adversaries there are?' But now I am somewhat worried. I'd expected that we would be leading an attack, not that we would be the attack."

"However, I do not doubt you guys have skills and talents which would prove useful... I look forward to working with you."

Tyril bows slightly, "am I really that strange? Well, I suppose the fault is my own for not introducing myself, I am Tyril, duelist and weapons master. Apparently I've become something of a leech in my 30 years here, and I must now, as they say 'work for my supper'. Rather rude really." He looks over at Wen, "and you maa...." he trails off, "n....what of your role in this?"

Paige had been sitting in her usual chair. The prospect of going off to do battle was intruiging, but she had hoped that she would have gotten to know the rest of her teammates better. She rose from her seat, "my name is Paige and I'm a fire mage. I will lend all of my talents to the cause..."

Lunas stepped away from a window and turned to face the group.

"My name is Lunas, formerly a knight of the order of the Bleeding Chalice. Unfortunately, I have taken the death vow and Nadil's death is required for my return to my order."

There was just something about how he looked at them all that gave the impression that getting in his way would likely result in a brutal death. A few people got chills from that impression.

"I'm Antoninus Pius, a healer. I know my job is to keep you all healthy till you reach your destination. I doubt I'll be of much help other than that." Anton sat down again and hung his head. His hands were shaking.