He’s been called a god, and a devil.
Crowned an Emperor, and lived a pauper.
Named The protector, and The Destroyer.
And everything in between.
The Destroyer is probably the most accurate..
He’s been called every dark name and been on the receiving end of every curse known to the gods.
The gods themselves have shuddered at his mention.
An unholy abomination in the guise of a human, created by a mad god, if god is even the right word. Nothing more than a mindless tool of war. Or so it was believed.
Dray’ger is what he is, one of many. But destined for something more….
But not yet.
Our story begins in the land of Carmien. A once peaceful land of the light currently embroiled in a conflict with dark invaders. They arrived at their shores in massive black ships and drove into the continent like a spear. Twisted and evil, they spread darkness across the land, seemingly bent on destruction and desecration.
And our “Hero” is of course…one of the invaders.
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“why does the sun always shine in this cursed place?” grouched a nameless soldier. He sweated and chaffed while they marched double time to.... who knows where, “It’s not natural”. “Save your breath” said his companion. “you’re going to need it” He also sweated and was starting to limp slightly, “One thing is for sure. There’s going to be killing to do when we reach where we’re going” “Aye with the Lady herself here, and her bloody beast!” He glanced towards where a rider rode a nervous horse towards the head of the column, their position towards the front meant he could see the empty space around the rider, no man or beast would willingly approach.
The soldiers gave it a wide berth. Nobody wanted to be anywhere near the Dray’ger. It constantly scanned the surroundings. Outwardly it looked human but…”cursed spawn of the dark one himself”.
At that moment the Dray’ger turned and scanned the soldiers, the soldiers heart seemed to freeze for a moment and he stumbled, along with several other soldiers, anyone that happened to be looking at the beast.
The gaze of a Dray’ger was like seeing your Death. even at this distance he could feel the hate and blood lust emanating from that gaze.
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In front of the Dray’ger rode a tall, fit woman, an ageless beauty, but radiated an air of strength and danger; enhanced by an armor fit for a demon queen, black with red trimming, form fitting but obviously enchanted to provide protection, more points and edges then it had any right to have. It glistened like wet paint. The dark armor contrasting starkly with her pale perfect complexion, what hair could be seen under the armor was raven black.
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Anyone accusing her of using magic to maintain this look would be right, and dead, if she ever heard of it.
She rode a tall black stallion, with tack to match her armor. all in all, she made an imposing sight.
“Lady Reicha” The gaunt scout commander rode up beside her “report commander” she replied impatiently. “the valley is a mile ahead of us, we arrived ahead of the convoy but only by a few hours at most, my Lady” He bowed in his saddle, studying the ground. “ We expect to start seeing their forward scouts soon” Lady Reicha gave a very unladylike grunt of annoyance. She pursed her red lips for a minute then said. “ I want a company to block the head of the valley.” “three will circle through the trees to the north side of the valley, the rest to the South” The Reicha spoke to the two men riding with her. “They will hold them at the valley head, we will form up inside the tree line and advance when they are past the point of no return, they must not be allowed to escape”
“are you sure it’s wise to split our forces, Lady Reicha?” The speaker was General Stienbar, a grizzled veteran who had earned his right to be a General the hard way. Although their forces outnumbered the enemy two to one, the enemy soldiers would be highly motivated.
Normally this operation would have been under his command, actually it would be under one of his captains command, the presence of the Lady and himself indicated the importance of this high-speed mission and also the Lady’s impetuousness, although he’d never say that part out-loud.
Despite his apparent age and experience, he spoke with respect and deference, anything else would result in a swift death.
But fortunately the Lady was an excellent commander in her own way, and despite a rather blood thirsty personality, would not punish him for speaking up,(as long as he was making sense).
“Damn your eye’s, I’ll put every last one of you to the sword if you let them escape!” “ We leave no way out, no option for retreat, I don’t care the risk, I will have them!” Her voice lowered to an even more dangerous level, and she smiled a murderous gleam, showing perfect teeth. “Don’t let my prey escape, Gentlemen..”
Lady Lorinda Reicha, supreme commander of the Dark Lords advance force into this blessed continent, watched as Orders flew, and men dressed in dark armor, began to trot through the trees so as not to leave marks of their passing on the valley plain.
Hours of hard marching and now stumbling through the forest undergrowth, was going to leave the men exhausted, but hopefully they would be able to recover some after they where in position.
After giving his orders General Stienbar approached again, gave a small bow from his saddle..” if you don’t mind me being so bold, I fear that one company might not be enough to hold while we make our advance”.
Indeed, the valley was a mile wide grassy plain, it would take time to cross she wished she had more men for this ambush, but this was all she had available in time, either she caught her target here or they would escape for good. A frown creased her perfect features for a moment before she broke out in a wide sweet smile. It made the hardened General shudder slightly. “My pet will join them” she turned in saddle to regard the Dray’ger “Go and play my pet, but remember to behave”.
Without hesitation the Dray’ger, with a snarl and a showing of teeth, left to join the hundred soldiers tasked with guarding the exit to the valley.
Although her instructions where simple, the bond she had with the Dray’ger passed on her true intent in a way that no words could equal, he would carry out her will exactly as she intended.As her thoughts touched on this bond her pulse quickened, the Dray'gers Desire to protect and obey it’s mistress, was only slightly stronger than it’s desire to kill her…
“Will that satisfy you General Stienbar?” He gave another small bow, “Indeed, my Lady” Because indeed, the beast would make the difference, He was surprised though as Dray’ger did not normally engage in military matters. They where normally used as body guards for the chosen of the Dark lord, and a last line of defense. And they also carried out whatever atrocities the Lord or Lady deemed fit. It wasn't unheard of though, the beast was an invaluable tool to any battle.