Chapter 1

First part of something. Idk what yet.

                I thundered across the field towards the castle. A war? Against the Nauth? We were sure to win! They had a small army, but they were poorly trained for anything more than a border attack. Why would they wage war with us Kaldings?

                My mind raced as I ran. Even though I was only sixteen years old, I was a high commander for the Kalding army. I had my Berthanian dragon, Kessie, who I used to navigate around battlefields and unfamiliar areas. She was bloodred with pure black eyes.

                My name is Elia Corozan. I live in the main castle of Kalding as a high commander. I am the only commander with jet-black hair and icy blue eyes. I am a fierce fighter, a loyal friend, and, when I need to be, heartless. Both of my parents were killed by Canesrals when I was five years old. The Canesralian army paid later, with me against them in my first battle.

                I ran around the main entrance of the castle and alongside the outer walls. I kept Kessie away from the other dragons, so that she wouldn’t attack any. I slipped into a thick piece of woods that grew adjacent to the outlying castle walls.

                “Kessie,” I whispered. There was a sound of a lot of leaves rustling and something heavy moving over the ground.

                A deep red head with two twisting horns melted out of the shadows. I walked over and rubbed the neck of the great beast.

                “Good Kessie. Good girl.” I pulled on the thick rope that was tied around her neck. The rest of Kessie slid into the mid-spring sunlight. I rubbed her neck a bit more, and then climbed onto her back.

                “Alof!”  I called. Kessie kicked off of the ground and spread out her wings, which were tipped with orange. She did a low lap around the clearing, then took off into the air. I steered her over the castle and onto the highest tower.

                “Mas!” I called out again. She dropped onto the stone floor. I jumped off her back and started towards the spiral staircase that led to the Hall of War.

                I felt the sun’s heat reflect off of my gold and crimson armor. The two colors represented the kingdom of Kalding, as well as a crimson dragon with gold horns and wing tips.

                “Elia!” a deep voice shouted behind me. I turned and saw a buff man wearing thick armor walking down towards me. I leaned against the stone wall coolly.

                “You’re going too, Banmay? I’d never think they’d let in someone as empty-headed as you are, though maybe it’s brawn they’re seeing.”

                I saw him tense. He pulled off his helmet, and a pair of dark brown eyes glared at me. I crossed my arms and glared right back. “I’m not letting you show me down. This is war. Not your personal showoff stage.”

                Banmay sneered. “We’ll see if I can’t push you down in popularity while fighting a war, little Ellie. There’s only one way you can keep this from happening, and you already gave the King your opinion.”

                I growled. “If it comes to it, I will.”

                “Council in order! King Asmasten the First on throne!”

                I looked up at the thin, bedraggled man that was our King. He had thinning light brown hair and tan eyes, reminding me of the weasels that we sometimes saw in the woods. His voice was small, even when he was shouting.

                King Asmasten stood up from his golden throne. He cleared his throat and spoke.

                “The Nauth army has waged war on our borders. We will send out a response army of one thousand fifty soldiers. A few commanders will have to take an assistant with them onto the field. Will those who offer to take an assistant stand?”

                I rose up from my seat as soon as the words came out. I gave Banmay a deep look of hatred, then stood straighter. I heard people murmur in surprise. Of course they would, I thought. Who would expect the loner to eagerly accept an assistant? I would be reluctant to under normal circumstances, but right now, I was fighting a silent war against Banmay.

                “Tassen, you go with her.” Asmasten nodded toward a boy no older than me beside his throne. I almost regretted my decision immediately. I shook my head and gave a look of ‘you had better keep in line.’ He seemed to grow a size smaller at my sharp glare.

                “Will there be any more? Banmay?”

                My rival shook his head apologetically. “I cannot, your Majesty.  With commanding the forward left flank, I will be much too busy and at too much of a risk to take on this honorable role.” I clenched my fist at his words. He did not mean any of it; he was merely laying down excuses not to follow my lead.

                “Then this meeting will be adjourned.  I will request that those who have not been given a special duty from myself personally will go to the battle field that was assigned between the Nauth and us.”

                We rose, and the majority of us went to our stations. A small touch on my shoulder brought me swinging around suddenly.

                “M’lead, forgive me!” Tassen jumped backwards. I glared at him and handed him a sharp silver dagger.

                “Keep this until I can get you something real and teach you how to use it properly.” There was a tone of annoyance in my voice. I meant for it. If anything was going to keep me from proving Banmay down, I would punish whoever caused it.

                “Follow me,” I ordered. Tassen nodded warily as I led him back up through the tower. I opened the door to see Elia growling fiercely at the pair of us.

                “Elia!” I called. “Fortholo!” The dragon backed off and became quiet. I heard Tassen whimper slightly, but I didn’t bother to call him out on it. He would get used to Elia’s appearance.

                I went to Elia and jumped on her back. Tassen stood still in the doorway.

                “Well?” I asked. “Are you coming?”

                “Um, ummm….” He sounded worried.

                “She won’t hurt you, unless I decide otherwise. Get your butt up here.”

                Tassen hesitated, then walked over to Elia’s side. He pulled himself up just in time, as I shouted ‘Alof!’ and shot up over the forest.