Men'Thar-Glory to the Dragonknights

[DralonXitz]

It is a bright, sunny morning in the glorious city of St. Pox. The enormous city floats high above the ground, gleamining like a pearl in the sky. It's white and gold towers jut into the air, adorned with ancient Amunian sculptures and images of the heroes past, Catalan Pox, Jux'Tar Kormeaho, High-Priest Vexor. The white standard of Amun beats strong in the wind as the people begin their day.

At the center of the city is the glorious Citadel of Pox, a huge building that rises past every building in the city. This is the head of the government of Amun, home of the Royal Family, and the Sacred Barracks of Kormeaho, where the legendary Dragonknights of Amun take residence. The most respected and ferocious warriors in all of Amun, these brave men are the only people in the world with the skill to ride the Golden Descendants of Amunia, a line of beautiful, strong dragons that live to protect the Kingdom. These warriors put their life on the line for Amunia and Country every time they are called to duty.

The most glorious part of the Citadel, however, is the extravagent Throne Room. Perched on the very top of the citadel, it is a circular room, with crystal clear walls, that display the glorious lands of Amun from every angle. The floor has across is the Royal Crest of Amun, a Golden Dragon surrounded by red spikes. At the center is a massive, gold throne, with such complex sculpting across it could only be created by Haelfor, Justico's Smith.

The five heroes find themselves in this room, against the walls in attention. They are clad in their ceremonial robes, heavy and golden, honored to be in this sacred chamber. It was here that the most famous Amunian's held council with the Patriarch, it was here that Catalan Pox declared the creation of the Dragonknights. This room had thousands of years of history behind it.

As they stand still, the massive doors of the chamber open up, and two High-Dragoons enter the room, their massive Greatswords held up in the air as they march forward. When they get to the Throne, they each turn and take one side of it as the loud clanking of heavy armor is heard approaching. Then, before their very eyes, enters a tall man, with gleaming silver hair, clad in the most decorative and intimidating Golden armor ever seen to the Squires. His helmet revealed two stunning, blue eyes, and at his side was the legendary blade Phalanx. This man could be none other than the heroic Patriarch Nagano.

The Patriarch walked slowly to his throne, turned, and took a seat, placing his blade at the side of his throne, his hand still on it. He then spoke with a stern, but caring voice, "Step forward Squires."

 

[DralonXitz]

As the five heroes step forward, Nagano looks over them with a sense of pride and hope. He stands up as he begins to speak.

"You five are the new hope of Amun. With every new Dragonsquire that stands before me, I see a new determination, a new brave hero ready to serve his duty to Amun. I commend all of you, and am honored to stand before you. I am especially honored to meet you, Lady Even. Never before has a woman been able to handle the rigorous training of a Dragonknight, but you have broken this tradition. I am honored to coronate you five now, to the rank of Dragonknight.".

He softly nods to a man at the door as 5 soldiers step in, each carrying a beautiful, golden scabbard. They stand before each hero as Nagano says, "These are the blades a Dragonknight receives upon coronation. Use these well, for they will one day save your lives. Now go my young Dragonknights, and join with your comrades downstairs, your coronation party awaits."

With a bow, the five heroes exit the chamber, swords at their side, and a few minutes later, enter the Barracks of Kormeaho, where their fellow Dragonknights await, congregating amongst themselves.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Getran had somehow managed to get himself clean-shaven today, truly a grand effort to make himself presentable before Nagano. He beamed with pride, and felt some of the weight of his responsibilities become lifted from his shoulders. Proving himself was the hardest part, now he simply had to fulfill his duties and he could give a little extra focus to other important matters. He gleefully raised a glass to the friends he had gotten to know during their extensive training. A hard but satisfying experience shared by them all.

"We have arrived my friends," he says to them, "And yet this is only just the beginning."

 

[elapse]

Dragonknight at Last

Words could not express Konrad's feeling of elation. Since his parent's had released him for the training of the Dragonknight's when he was eight years old, he had dreamed of this day. Getran's words hung on his ears, "We have arrived my friends, and yet this is only just the beginning". How true, Konrad thought, how true.

The new blade felt good against his hip. Adorned in his ceremonial robes and with such a weapon he couldn't help but feel pride for his belonging to such a prestigious order. He walked confidently with his new peers as they left the grand hall to meet with the other Dragonknights.

Upon arrival, Konrad went about the room amidst his fellow Dragonknights, shaking hands, clasping shoulders, and saying "thank you" to the congratulatory remarks. For the most part, he remained quiet, listening to his brethren and reflecting on the events of the day.

 

[scout989]

Kharsin reentered the barracks alongside the others, but with a feeling of vague unease. Today, though doubtless an important day in his life, was the first that he could remember which did not contain many hours of training, drilling, and studying.

Nonetheless, he tried to show some enthusiasm for the congratulations offered to him. "Thank you, thank you" he replied softly whenever accosted by a well-wisher. Despite the smile fixed firmly on his face, he couldn't wait to be back in the saddle, preparing for whatever may come.

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Let's make the most of this shall we? Nothing quite like a party, and it's even better that it's in our honour!" Getran says to his colleagues with a savvy grin.

Picking up an extra few drinks Getran makes the rounds, handing over the extra glasses to those whose glasses have emptied.

"Sir Wyte!" he calls out, spotting the experienced Dragonknight and making his way over, "Here's hoping I can live up to the name of my honoured mentor."

 

[D20Dazza]

Lady Even del'Dray

Even was stunned, the honour bestowed upon her by Patriarch Nagano was beyond her wildest dreams. She walked quietly back with her fellow Knights lost in her own thoughts. Just before entering the barracks she turns to her friends "I will return soon fellow Knights" she pauses and rolls her togue as if tasting the very word, "gee that feels good - Knights, hah" she thinks to herself with a small shake of her head, "Getran, Kharsin, Konrad and Toven you will save me a wine?" she asks with a wink and a smile before retiring to the seminary to prey and honour her God, father, mother and ancestors.

 

[Ferrix]

Toven smiles at Even as she departs for the seminary, he never fully understood the devotion to the higher powers, but the strength of will they showed was surely an indication to their strengths, and she was not a woman to be trifled with in any case. "Of course, there will be atleast a bottle waiting for you," he calls after her.

The honor of becoming a dragonknight, this was definately a new sense of prestige for Toven. His history from his unremarkable childhood through the arcane orders to now held within it a rise from his simple beginnings, without noble blood or wealthy family, to a full-on dragonknight.

"Cause for celebration indeed! Perhaps a night on the town rather than in the barracks is truly in order," he cried, a markedly interested smile on his face.

 

[Festy_Dog]

"-and so the old farmer says 'How can I miss you if you won't go away?'" Getran finished his joke, and was met with much laughter from the little group he was talking with. Hearing Toven's suggestion he replied, "Heh, you've got my ear there, Toven."

The thought of carrying on the celebrations was tempting, but his main motivation for going was to look out for his comrades. He sipped his drink and returned to the group's discussion, a contagious smile on his face.

 

[scout989]

"-and so the old farmer says 'How can I miss you if you won't go away?'" Getran finished his joke, and was met with much laughter from the little group he was talking with. Hearing Toven's suggestion he replied, "Heh, you've got my ear there, Toven."

The thought of carrying on the celebrations was tempting, but his main motivation for going was to look out for his comrades. He sipped his drink and returned to the group's discussion, a contagious smile on his face.

Kharsin glanced enviously at Getran, wishing that he had the same talent for making people feel easy. <Well, I guess I'll never learn if I don't try,> he thought.

He walked slowly over to the group that Getran was entertaining. As he approached, he once more fixed a smile on his face and tried desperately to come up with something witty to say. Unfortunately, the best he could do was "Well, that sure was an interesting day, eh?"

<Oh, nice one. That's a real original> he thought derisively.