I haven't slept in 21 hours though so I'm going to go get a quick nap, wake up and do some more writing and editing in hopes for another chapter tomorrow!

This chapter is a lot of background and a bit of history.

Enjoy!

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Far away there was a crisis which was caused a large meeting for those who had power and knowledge to try to figure out what happened.

Hours before the land had shook and the damage was vast all around. Several buildings had fallen and there was a large crack within the land. The seas roared and waves crashed against the shore.

In a large building, several dozens of men and women were chatting excitedly, trying to figure out what had happened. The land which had always been safe had caused great damage.

There was shouts and whispers all around the room. The nobles of the Kinetsa Kingdom were flurried with excitement. On a large dais sat a large empty chair, gaudy with gold and gemstones covering it.

To the left of the large throne there was a smaller one though no less precious in materials.

As the nobles continued to talk there was suddenly a large smack against the floor and the nobles quieted quickly. A tall man entered the room. He was wearing a shining gold robe with white trim. His crown while thin, was gold with thirteen emeralds around it. Twelve of them were the equal in size, about the length of a child’s thumb, while in the centre there was an emerald about twice the size of the others.

He had a scar that was only slightly visible under his well groomed beard. As he walked towards his throne you could see how powerful he was. His movements were without flaw, he walked towards his throne knowing that it was his and nobody could take it from him.

The King’s name was Emeric Johan Goldwater the third of his name. King Emeric Goldwater was named after the first of his house who had taken the throne. King Emeric Brian Goldwater the Wyrm Slayer, who claimed the throne and got his title after slaying a Bane Wyrm, one of the most fierce demi-dragons around.

King Emeric had taken the throne after his father had passed seven years ago. He was the second son of six children. The reason King Emeric Johan had taken the throne was because his older brother Terric had died trying to protect his father when he was still young in an attempted assassination of his father, King Merek Goldwater.

The Goldwater house was a line of nobles who were praised for their strength and righteousness. They were loved by the common people and even the nobles had grudging respect for them.

They had been the Royal house for only the last five hundred years. The noble families of the Kitesta Kingdom had gathered after the near annihilation of the Kingdom, which caused the complete death of the previous royal house, the Aymers.

The Aymer House had been the Royal house before the Goldwaters for over twelve centuries. After a migration of a small dragon, the Kitesta Kingdom was mostly destroyed which caused a vacuum of power which the remaining houses had decided what to do. Most wanted to take control themselves, become the royal family even if it meant they would absorb the weaker houses which were badly damaged by the small dragons damage, or eliminate them.

Eventually all the smaller houses realizing that they would either be destroyed or absorbed had decided to come together and ensure their survival for the period until the decision had been made.

With the passing of the dragon, monsters followed in its wake. The most dangerous was a Bane Wyrm.

Bane Wyrm’s were large monsters with similarities with dragons minus the wings though small compared to even a newly born dragon.

A wyrm was about twelve feet high in it’s youth and nearly double at it’s elder stage.

A Bane Wyrm was one the most fearsome wyrms around. With the ability to control several types of magic, along with dragon magic which made them unique.

Most creatures had a natural affinity with a certain element or magic. The more powerful a monster usually meant it had more affinities with magic or an excellent control over it.

Bane Wyrms had the natural affinity for many different types of magic. Some had aptitude with fire while others had an affinity with water or earth. It was one thing that made Bane Wyrms so dangerous, they could have any affinity while also having an affinity to dragon magic, which made them way more dangerous than any other wyrm.

Dragon magic was unusual in most ways. It wasn’t necessarily a direct magic like fire or earth magic, but instead was pure magic itself along with the natural ability to increase any type of magic used and the increased resistance against magic.

Dragon magic was pure in it’s form and had no elemental affinity to it. Dragons mostly used it to increase the power of their own magical affinities, but sometimes they would use it in it’s pure form.

The Bane Wyrm which had followed in the wake of the dragon into the Kitesta Kingdom only increased the damage that the small dragon made. It went to several villages until Emeric Goldwater was able to slay it, causing the common folk to praise him.

Emeric Goldwater himself was a knight at the time. He wasn’t a part of any large noble house but instead was part of a branch house of the Aymer house. Therefore with his strength shown and the admiration of the common people, the smaller houses which had banded together agreed to push Emeric Goldwater as the new King. The small amount of royal blood in his veins solidified his place in the Kitesta Kingdom.

His reign was rocky at first, there was civil war following his coronation. Several noble houses which didn’t want to lose their control fought against the smaller houses. It was nearly a landslide when it came to the actual battles.

The common people rose against the bigger houses and they proclaimed the Goldwater family as nobility.

This firmed his position and for the rest of his reign he worked on rebuilding the kingdom from the destruction that was left behind.

Emeric Johan Goldwater was as a just and righteous king as the first whom name he took.

As he sat on his throne, Emeric waved forth a scholar whom he had research the phenomenon which had happened.

The scholar, a old and balding man with gray hair with a slight hunch from bending over books all day stepped forward to announce his findings to his king.

“Your Majesty, finding any information about what happened to the land has been hard to find and not clear in most cases. There have been records from those who are near a dragon when it walks the earth.

Such cases are few in record but it is a known and well enough recorded event for it to be true, though no cases spoke of split earth.” he spoke with an excited though shaky voice.

A murmur ran amongst the crowd as the scholar continued.

“We have found a record of the ground splitting and shaking when an earth drake used magic but it’s the only record of its kind, unfortunately there’s no other evidence to back it up, most magic used by dragonkin is… suspect at best.” he said sadly.

“So from the sounds of it it’s very likely that an earth affinity dragonkin has used magic causing us this damage?” asked a noble of the Hall house.

“I suspect it is a dragon my lord.” replied the scholar which caused a loud ripple from the crowd.

“There was no sighting of a dragon near us but their magic is suspect to be able to destroy us all should they choose. The air dragon which nearly caused the destruction of our kingdom so many years ago was merely a child from what we could tell of it’s size and temperament. Older dragons care not for the destruction of mankind, usually even protecting the area around their lair should there be reasonable tribute given.” he spoke meekly.

“What should be done good scholar?” asked Emeric.

“There is very little we could do against any dragon your majesty. Any dragon larger than the air dragon which came would utterly destroy us, though we have a chance against any dragon smaller.” replied the scholar bowing.

“Any suggestions from the nobility?” asked Emeric, who was always considerate and willing to listen to any and all advice from others.

Several proposals were shouted out, most suggestion that if the possibility that it is a dragon that they should avoid it at all costs.

“I propose we send a small scouting party your majesty,” proclaimed a booming voice.

The voice belonged to the General of the First Army. Atkin Tebald. He was a large man, bigger than the king himself and twice as wide. He had served King Merek and now Emeric himself. Had many accomplishments and was loyal to the kingdom without fault.

This intrigued the king, and he beckoned the man forward.

“Though the chance of an earth dragon is dangerous, it would only be to those who tread upon its domain. I don’t want to risk the lives of my men like but it could be much more dangerous should we not ensure that the danger has passed.” He announced.

There was a murmur of agreement among the crowd.

“I agree with the plan your majesty,” shouted a noble.

Quickly the agreement of General Atkin Tebald’s idea had spread from the crowd. Emeric was unsure himself but he agreed with the idea.

“Very well, we shall send out a scouting party of General Tebald’s choice. Limit it to twenty men General, we don’t want too many to die should there actually be a dragon.” announced Emeric.

“Yes your majesty.” General Tebald bowed.

“Until we get an answer from the scouts, we shall have the kingdom on the highest of alerts. We must remain vigilant in times like this, though we shouldn’t cause unnecessary panic. Keep your guards and men on alert but make no mention of a dragon, should that get out to the common people we could end up in a much worse situation than if a dragon was there.” said Emeric.

“This assembly has adjourned, do what must be done for the Kingdom.” Emeric said as he stood up. He left towards his chambers, thinking of the danger that could be out there.