A flight of dragons can be seen approaching northern territory and battle horses along the trail.

“Your Majesty, we are approaching the North. Get ready to burn their fortress first to hinder communication.”

“That is a good plan, Sir Valen. We can bury the north without them thinking.” Viscount Magellan´s smirk could light up a room if it were put to it.

“Since Sir Valen knows the north best, we will follow his plan. The northern army is extremely dangerous. Please, do not let your guard down.” The emperor, with a heavy heart, ordered.

________________

“Good morning, Your Majesty, how was your rest?”

“My rest was good, Jalen. But the War noise is too much.”

“Pardon? What noise?”

“The noise of swords and burning. Is Azura having a duel with Sir Rizontie again?”

‘Persistent girl,’ Kaldor groans.

“I am sorry, your majesty, but there is no one on the training grounds on the former duchess’s birth date, and it was declared a holiday by the duke, and Azura is out hunting beasts for the knight exams coming soon.”

“But I can hear the noise of the dragon’s fire breathing and swords. That is what woke me up.”

“I think it is better to ask the Duke, your majesty. I know little about this.”

Somewhere in the little village in the north, residents screamed in terror.

“Our fight is with the duke and his army, Viscount. Stop attacking the villagers,” Sir Valen pleaded.

“This is where the north gets its fortune from; we should destroy them first.”  The viscount smirks; the more damage, the angrier the evil duchess is. “All dragons! Burn this village down, and all the swordsmen cut everyone down who is strong enough to oppose us.”

The Viscount looked satisfied with the anxious screams, and Sir Valen had looked at the emperor for a sign of disapproval of what the Viscount was doing, but the black dragon was showing no sign of sympathy.

_______________________________________________________

“Your grace, Crown Prince Kaldor has requested your audience.”

“Allow him in.”

“Good morning, your majesty.”

“Your Grace, is there a fight going on in the north?”

“No, we have a festival in town which might have a few plays, but that starts later in the afternoon.”

“But I could hear screams and sword clashes.”

“Is it part of your dragon powers? Can you give me the approximate distance?” The duke is anxious and stuttering. In his words, “My little girl went to the monster’s cave east of here. Can you hear her voice? Is she okay? She can oversee herself in conflict, but….”

“The noise is coming from the south, sir.”

Just as Kaldor explains, Sir Rizontie and his daughter Dune barge in.

“Your grace, we have a crisis,” Dune sighs.

“The imperial army is attacking Brendina. I told Alisud to get our soldiers ready to fight back, but we still need your input.”