The Frost Drake Nesting Grounds at the base of the Frost Drake Mountain were a spectacle of rugged beauty and nature's power. Snow-capped mountains loomed overhead, sparkling as the light shimmers across their peaks like enormous diamonds. The ground was dotted with burrows and cave entrances leading to each frost drake mating pairs' secluded nests, each housing the formidable Frost Drakes, their scales shimmering like frozen silver in the pale sun rays that pierced into their depths. The air was crisp with the scent of pine and frost.

Arch Magus Katheryne Wright, draped in her emerald robes, led the delegation from the frontier settlement of FrostHold. Her silver hair flowed gracefully in the cold wind, and her blue eyes sparkled with determination.

Katheryne stepped forward, her voice steady and clear despite the cold air. "Esteemed Frost Dragon, we thank you for granting us this audience. We come in peace, seeking to find a harmonious resolution to our current predicament."

The dragon's gaze shifted to Katheryne, its eyes narrowing slightly. "My eyes now see you little human, my nose now smells you covered in the arcane, and my ears now hear you barking like a pup. Know your place and show in your actions and not just futile words the respect I demand or my tongue shall know your taste.”

The dragon moved his head to hover in front of the Arch Magus. “Terms are for equals. No, this is my dominion and you have intruded. You have fished my coast and tore my stone from the ground. You have uprooted my great oaks and my tall cedars. You have taken the life of my forest beasts and covered yourselves in their skins,” The Frost Dragon blew out air from his large nostrils and a gust of chilling air caused the Arch Magus and the others of FrostHold to shiver. “Terms? No, no terms. I want obedience. None but mine are allowed to reap the rewards of my domain. I want your kind to know their place. Now you may speak, little human”

“Yes, Esteemed of all the Frost Dragons,” Katheryne said as she motioned for the others to bow their heads “I shall take your words to my leaders and return as quickly as possible.”

“Three days, any more winter's fury will be forgotten under my breath.”

Into the half built courtyard of Castle Evergreen, Gabriel was rushing as he shouted “My Lord, Lady Brown has collapsed and has been taken to a finished guest room!”

Lord Evergreen who had been attempting to practice one armed sword fighting, immediately tossed his sword to a nearby recruit “Lead the way Gabrial.”

Upon entering the finished lower wing of the castle Gabrial shouted “Make way for Lord Evergreen” and at his words servants and along with Brum backed to the hallway walls allowing David to quickly make his way to the guest room.

David stepped into a room of worried servants fussing over Lady Brown.

A servant David had seen often attending to Lady Brown bowed slightly “She looks to be waking my lord. I’ve seen this before with the Lady, it was the eye. She’s had a vision. I’ll have the room cleared so the two of you can speak.”

“David, I did it. I saw the future. It was amazing and horrible,” Megan said as blue tears drifted down her cheeks “I feel like I’ve run a marathon, could you hand me that cup of water?”

“Here let me fill it a bit more.” David said as he sat on the edge of the bed and used the pitcher of water to fill the small wooden cup.

“Thank you, just give me a moment my throat is so dry.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Only a few minutes passed but both David and Megan felt as if the silence lasted half an hour.

“Okay, David I’m ready. Like I said I saw the future. David we can’t fight a Dragon. We will lose. So many will die.”

“Wait. Stop. Who said anything about fighting a Dragon?” David said as he abruptly stood.

“Settle down. Soon we should hear about one and then I saw us talking with one before it launched itself in the air and then destroyed everything. Just chose to turn the entire place into a winter wasteland for a few years I think.”

“It’s my fault isn’t it? I chose that damn Frost Drakes card.”

“No David! Sit down, that's not it at all. Look, what I saw was strange. I saw myself flipping a card, an event card that had a dragon on it. David, we are still playing the game. I can feel both things are true. This is a game and the world we are in are both real. I don’t know how but I know it’s true.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“So what… An event card was flipped and it just happened to be a dragon that you said was going to freeze everything after we talked to it?”

“Yes, and the Frost Drakes were there and I’m not sure how the two cards are related but they kind of are. But this is not because of that damn card you chose. This is one of the seasonal event cards.”

“Okay, I understand sis. This isn’t on me, keep going what do we need to do?”

“Well I saw more than just the image of the dragon on the card. I saw the text, or at least most of it. What I’m confident about is that this dragon hates being bothered by mundane things. The card text heavily emphasized that the trigger for this event was that our actions have disturbed the dragon. The dragon’s name and moniker was written as Aspen, the Slumbering Dragon of Ever-Winter. In my vision I was able to glimpse us both standing before him, his size incredibly massive, as we attempted to appease him. It infuriated him and that's when he stretched out his wings and flew off. Almost everything was covered in feet of snow and all the images that flashed before me were of frozen corpses, many in this very castle still half built.”

“If we can’t come to terms with him, and we can’t beat him, then really we only have one choice.” David said as he stood and began to leave

“And where will we go? I feel like the game won’t be too thrilled if we throw the towel in and make a run for somewhere else.”

“Oh no we aren’t running. If this is still a game in any sense then there is a way to take advantage of the situation. We just have to find it. Now hurry up and get ready I can hear the Arch Magus talking in the hall about needing an audience with us”

One Day later…

Arch Magus Katheryne, walked towards the monstrously large dragon. Lord Evergreen, walked tall, his ebony-skinned figure exuding authority despite his missing arm. Lady Brown, fair and composed, matched his stride with a calm confidence. The three of them were flanked by a contingent of guards and advisors, their faces set with a mix of hope and apprehension.

As they approached the heart of the nesting grounds, the Frost Drakes watched them with keen interest, their icy blue eyes following every movement. The ground beneath their feet was covered in a thin layer of frost, crunching softly under their boots.

In the center of the nesting grounds, an enormous Frost Dragon awaited them, its presence both majestic and intimidating. Its scales glistened in the sunlight, and its piercing blue eyes held a depth of ancient wisdom. The dragon's massive form curled lazily, its gaze unwavering as the delegation approached and lowered themselves to their knees, each bowing their heads.

The dragon's eyes narrowed slightly. "Speak"

Katheryne took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "We have found ourselves in error. We have wronged you. We need not recognize these lands as your rightful domain for that is self-evident. We wish to learn how to coexist peacefully under your rule and to repay your kindness by enriching your lands with the wealth of man. We propose a pact of obedience: Lord Evergreen and Lady Brown request to oversee the management of the men and women within your domain, ensuring that all settlements honor your sovereignty. In return, we do not ask for your protection for we know we are unworthy but instead we ask for guidance and your approval to establish our presence here."

A low rumble emanated from the dragon's chest, its expression inscrutable. "And what do you offer in return for your past transgressions and tolerance of your presence?"

Katheryne glanced at Lord Evergreen and Lady Brown, then continued. "We offer a tribute of resources, a share of our harvests, and a pledge to respect and preserve the natural beauty of your domain. We also propose establishing a nation of man under your name and sovereignty to be administered by Lord Evergreen and Lady Brown. As the undisputed ruler of these lands the nation of man shall protect these lands from the encroachment of those that do not submit to your rule."

The dragon's eyes glittered with interest. "Bold. Yet, what need do I have of a nation of men? I have the submission of the Frost Drakes that could do much of what you suggest."

Lady Brown stepped forward, her voice steady and sincere. "Great Frost Dragon, we are people of persistence and though we may spread through the lands where we go we will enforce your sovereignty. Unlike the Frost Drakes we have no need for migrations and if proven useful to you we can communicate with other factions we may encounter. We swear by the honor of our houses and the lives of our people. We seek not to dominate, but to submit. Your wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, and we acknowledge that. Let us prove our worth and loyalty through our actions. Let us protect and find new treasures so that we can enrich your domain."

The ground trembled slightly as a low rumble came from the dragon, its gaze never leaving the humans before it. Minutes felt like hours as the majestic creature's thoughts remained unreadable. Finally, it spoke, its voice a mix of authority and contemplation. "Truly a unique experience. I see your submission. However, I will not accept a nation of men. It was your kind that slayed so many of the young ones who flew to the distant shores of the lands of Orcs and Men."

Lady Brown placed a hand on Lord Evergreen’s shoulder stopping him from standing. “Stay kneeling, that was not a complete rejection.”

The dragon nodded, "Failure is not an option. Henceforth, I Aspen, first of Frost and bringer of Ever-Winter shall accept the Lord Evergreen’s and Lady Browns stewardship of my domain. In my name they shall govern these lands. As my subjects you shall know my power, fear my wrath, and ward my domain from pests."

With a powerful sweep of its wings, the Frost Dragon lifted into the air, its massive form casting a shadow over the delegation. The sound of its wings beating against the cold air resonated through the mountains as it soared into the sky, leaving the humans below in a stunned silence.

Katheryne let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She turned to Lord Evergreen and Lady Brown, a look of terror breaking across her face. "Do you feel it. Such power. What is he doing?"

Aspen the Frost Dragon let loose his icy breath and winter’s chill spread out beneath him. The land was swept in a bone chilling mist, Flowing down the mountain and across the foothills to every corner of land. All that was between the mountains and the shoreline were covered, all was silent and still.