Draknor: The Reign of Ina

Ina looked away from him, her blue eyes full of hurt.

“I see….”

She drew herself up.

“GUARDS!” She shouted.

As Draknor went for his sword she’d hurled a wooden chair into him causing him to stumble. The doors banged open as a dozen guards swarmed him with rope. Ina joined in as they all overpowered and disarmed him.

“Take him to the dungeon and have him tortured. Perhaps that will give him a change of heart.”

                                               **

Draknor sat upon the stone floor his wrists shackled to the stone wall. He had been stripped of his clothing leaving him naked save for his loincloth. His body was covered in bruises and scabs left over from his time in the torture chamber. It was impossible to tell how long he’d been down there but it hadn’t seemed like he’d been there for very long. He growled softly as his thoughts turned toward the recent events, and the ghosts of his past. He saw again the devastation that had been wrought as the greed and lust for glory finally consumed his people. Swords running red, walls tumbling from the fulcrums, and there he was over it all commanding death and destruction and wading into the gory fields as Dracoz slew Dracoz.

The Dracoz civil war, the conflict that finally ended them. He remembered the ground shaking as their entire home continent shook apart, magma spewing to the surface, and whole sections of land falling into the sea, as great waves swept all away. Their wars and the fallout from excessive fulcrum use brought about their demise. Or so the learned said, to many Dracoz they chose a simpler explanation, the gods had seen how violent their creations had become and ended them.

Draknor believed something between their own hands and the will of the gods, they were meant to be the stewards of the world, but they lost their way and destroyed their own home. They were unworthy to lord themselves over the world. Now humans were rising to take their place, and they seemed just as flawed.

His thoughts were interrupted by the whisper of skirts upon stone, looking up he saw Ina escorted by Chanar. A pitying look was upon her muzzle.

“Let me in,”

“My, queen be careful.”

“He’s chained,” She replied. “You may leave us.”

Chanar let her in as she strode forward and knelt by Draknor, she held his head between her hands gently.

“It pains me to see you like this; it doesn’t have to be like this though. My offer still stands.”

Draknor shook his head, “A reborn Dracoz empire upon the backs of humanity.”

Ina nodded, “That is my vision.”

“There’s very few of us left these days.” Draknor replied.

“I know,”

“What of the humans? Are they to be given the same opportunities as us?”

Ina tilted her head, “Within reason.”

Draknor grunted, “Tell me something, Ina. Do you consider them our equals?”

“Well they have their uses. They can be clever and skilled when properly…

“Do you consider them our equals?” Draknor repeated.

Ina thumped her tail, “They’re not; nothing against them they just aren’t. We’re smarter, longer lived, stronger. We can’t have equality when it doesn’t exist in the first place.”

“So they’ll be what to us? Pets?”

Ina waved her hand, “Call it what you will! They’ll be well treated. They can even hold positions of importance if they’re worthy. Nowhere too influential though, they just aren’t suited to rule as we are. Simple facts.”

“I see… superiority rules then.”

“Isn’t that life? We ruled over lesser races in our prime.”

“And we destroyed them alongside our empire, they didn’t survive. Those that we didn’t just exterminate, whole species wiped away because as you put it, we were superior.”

Ina snorted, “I find it hard to believe you were a general, you’re awful squeamish.”

“I’ve had time to reflect. I cut my teeth fighting the Glarkie’s the only ones that managed to not fall to us.”

“Only because of their damned magics.”

“Our ego too we beleieved we could do anything, our ego is what destroyed us, we thought ourselves masters of all races and the very forces of the world. Now you’re setting out to restablish a new Dracoz empire built upon humans.”    

Ina sighed, “Draknor, why can’t you accept this is the only way to regain what we lost. Do you think we should just fade away?”

Draknor shook his head, “No, but we don’t deserve to rule over mankind, nor do we need to become their servants. I have not been wandering aimlessly, I’ve been looking for a place to call our own, somewhere for Dracoz to go and live in solitude. The humans can have the rest, they’re free to make their own mistakes, or succeed where we failed, but they don’t need us to influence them. We’ll just lead them astray by repeating our own mistakes.”

Ina thumped her tail, “You’re a dreamer Draknor, no such place exists. There’s only the world and what we make of it.”

“You’re wrong, I’ve had a vision, as clear as being conscious. I know the place, and I’ve sought it out tirelessly.”

Ina was unimpressed, “Your mind is far more deluded than I feared. The loss and the solitude have driven you mad.”

She stroked his face. “Such a pity, perhaps later I can confine you somewhere more comfortable.”    

Ina regarded the half naked Dracoz appraisingly, before she strode away, “At any rate, this war is going to start. Before I lose the element of surprise.”

Draknor growled as he strained against the chains.

It was impossible to tell time in the dungeon, Draknor had received no food, no matter Dracoz could go without food for a time if need be. Not that they enjoyed fasting though. The dungeon was made specifically to dull the sense, the dim lighting, the only sounds were the footfalls of the guards, the skitter of rats and the clink of another prisoners chains somewhere. On occasion there’d be a whimper.

Every hour, every minute, every second, Ina was orchestrating the start of a bloody war. The thought filled Draknor with rage as he kept straining against the chains. The chains were strong, able to resist the strains of the mighty Dracoz. But the mortar was a different story, cracks began forming in the dungeon walls from his efforts.

Again and again he strained as the wall grew weaker, until finally he ripped the chains and their anchors clean through the bricks. The sound echoed throughout the dungeon. Draknor tensed, someone was bound to have heard that. There was the sound of boots running as a young guard came into view. Draknor crouched.

“What was that?” The guard wondered aloud.

He squinted in the dark as he realized Draknor didn’t seem to be positioned right, before he could act the Dracoz had bounded to the bars and grabbed him. The guard uttered a scream before he was slammed against the bars knocking him out.

Quickly he found the keys and unlocked his cell door, he took a saber and dagger off the guard too. They didn’t suit him though, too small, meant for human hands. He started to make his escape when he paused by one of the other cells. Their within were the two rebels from the throne room.

Noticing Draknor they looked at him in shock.

Draknor regarded them, “Well do you wish for me to free you?”

“Why would you free us?” One asked.

“Because, the queen means to start a war, but not if she has problems in her own borders.”

They frowned.

“There are more than just the two of you rebelling, yes?” Draknor mumbled.

“Why should we tell you anything? Shouldn’t you be happy there’s one of your kind ruling over us?”

Draknor shrugged, “Very well, then I shall leave you here.”

The keys jangled, “Wait!”

Draknor tilted his head, “I shall free you under one condition. You remember that it was a Dracoz that saved you. You may hate Ina solely for what she is, but I want you to remember that it was such a being that saved you when you needed it.”

They scowled but a jangle from the keys was all they needed. “We swear! We swear!”

“Good, now go and get the rest of your forces. I think you’ll find the tides turned very soon. Again you owe this to a Dracoz. An animal I believe you called us?”

They said nothing as he unlocked the door and tossed them the weapons.

“Go, find a way out quickly.”

“You don’t need this?” One asked holding the sword.

“I’ll make do with what I have.” Draknor replied.

They parted ways as Draknor made his way up the stairs, he burst open the door to find five surprised humans.

“He’s loose!” A guard shouted.

Draknor roared a challenge as he strode in, one guard aimed a slash for his head. Draknor caught his arm in one hand, grabbed his hauberk in the other and threw him against the far wall. The man slumped to the ground in a heap.

“Ahhh!” One started to ready a spearthrust only to be pummeled with Draknor’s fist, the other three tried to rush him from all sides, but the Dracoz was a whirlwind of movement. One was struck down by his tail, the second lifted and headbutted into unconsciousness, while the last was kicked into the table.

There was the sound of running feet as five more guards were running down the hall, must have been the guard change. Striding among them Draknor laid into them striking with his powerful limbs and tail. He finished by throwing one into two of his comrades and incapacitating all three.

Draknor huffed as he continued on his way, he knew exactly where he was going and if he had to fight the entire castles contingent he’d do just that. He paused as he passed by a large door that was open a crack, he could see the gleam of steel behind it.

Throwing the door open Draknor’s tail thumped as he saw what it was. Weapons and armor, and lots of them, it had to be one of the castles armories. He tilted his horned head as he found and seized his second favorite type of weapon; a battleaxe.

It was meant to be used in two hands for a human but he held it singlehanded. It had a wide chopping blade and a spike set opposite that. Draknor gave it a few practice swings before grunting in satisfaction.

Draknor set back out on his mission of destruction.

As he neared the throne room he could hear voices.

“What’s going on?”

“No one seems to know, hell of a time for something to happen. What with the bulk of our forces marshalling outside.”

They were marshalling! That meant he had to move fast, bursting through the doors Draknor found himself faced with a dozen guards. Spears were leveled at him, and he felt a twinge that he may have actually bit off too much this time. Nevertheless he roared and charged into them. The fight was a blur as he chopped and bashed with the axe, spearshafts splintered, blood ran. His hide was cut and pierced by the guard’s weapons. Draknor fought through the pain, adding rage to his burning inner fire.

When it was over Draknor stood in the middle of the throne room, bloodied and in pain. Snarling he kept moving forward, he’d survived plenty of battles with worse injuries; of course he was younger then. Younger for a Dracoz anyway.

Remembering the room where he’d spoken with Ina in private he made his way there, the fulcrum was probably still there. Bursting through his maw opened in surprise, there it was. He’d expected it to be with her army by now. His greatsword was next to the device. Draknor sniffed the air, this seemed far too easy, he could smell Ina’s scent but she was nowhere in sight.

Hefting the gore stained axe he approached cautiously, his yellow eyes darted around the room expecting an ambush at any moment, he paused as he regarded burgundy curtains, she couldn’t be hiding behind those. As he got to the middle of the room he finally had the thought to look up. A blue and purple blur was falling towards him with a rustle of fabrics.

Draknor was already dodging but his wounds had slowed him, and he felt the stabbing pain of a dagger piercing through his hide and scraping the bone of his shoulderblade. He dropped the axe as he fell forward, roaring in pain.

He glanced over his bleeding shoulder to see Ina with a dagger. “I knew you’d come for the fulcrum.” She said softly.

Draknor didn’t answer as he kept moving toward the fulcrum.

“It’s a pity, you can’t see things my way. Now you’ve gone and made yourself a threat to me and my kingdom. I have to put you down. It pains me, but you leave me no choice.”

Draknor dragged himself along.

“Come now, I don’t enjoy needless suffering. I can end this quickly and painlessly.”

Draknor sagged in resignation.

“I see; this is to be the end of my path. Perhaps to teach you a lesson on your destiny’s path?”

“Perhaps,” Ina said.

Draknor rolled over facing her, his yellow eyes regarding her. “Then end this quickly.”

“Of course, I promise it will hurt for but a moment.”

Ina moved closer dagger poised.

Draknor struck fast as he bolted up, horned head crashing into her knife arm and sending the blade flying. Ina made a sound of protest before he snatched the necklace with the crystal from her neck and shoved her backwards, sending the ruler sprawling.    

Ina was on her feet growling. “You spite every bit of kindness from me, Draknor! You don’t deserve mercy or love!”

She snatched the dagger up again, and paused.

Draknor was at the fulcrum, Ina’s crystal dangerously close. His swordbelt was slung over his arm and his eyes were full of fury.

“I’m ending this,” He stated.

“You’ll bring the castle down upon us all? You’re bluffing.”

Draknor chuckled, “I resigned myself to fate’s will long ago. If you truly value lives, evacuate now.”

Ina met his gaze, her will faltered. She ran.

Draknor grunted as he moved the heavy fulcrum along with him, he knew exactly where he was going, the center of the castle, he would bring the whole thing down. No one tried to stop him as he passed fleeing courtiers and guards, none attempted to loose an arrow or drive a blade into him, for his hand was right by the trigger. Even if he should die it would take but a brush against the fulcrum with the crystal to set it off.

As he moved Draknor pondered what he was about to do.

Reaching the center of the castle at ground level, Draknor sighed. He paused hesitating as he contemplated what he was going to do. The fulcrums were a danger to all, and that’s why he would destroy it along with Ina’s castle.

Quickly he lunged the crystal into the fulcrum, the stones began to glow white as it prepared to unleash its fury.

Draknor ran as fast as he could as the ground began to shake, he may have resigned himself to fate, and he was bleeding already but that didn’t mean his tale ended here. The shaking grew in intensity as tremors began to turn into actual earthquakes. Stone and timber groaned in agony as the castle began to collapse choking dust filled the chambers as Draknor threw himself out a window and kept running.

Outside Ina’s army was screaming in terror as men and horses fell down the fissures forming in the earth, as the castle and army was swallowed by the earth. Draknor felt a swell of pity and guilt, many were just common soldiers doing their duty to their queen, they hadn’t deserved death really, but they were tools to her ambitions too. Draknor lost his footing and fell to the ground as the world upheaved. The power of the fulcrum, a power that never should have been harnessed, he huddled down and waited for it all to end.

Finally though the quakes died down to tremors, and Draknor looked out upon an unrecognizable land. A chasm lay where Ina’s castle had been, the fulcrum crushed and buried down below no doubt.

Draknor sighed at the destruction he’d wrought finding no pleasure in it. The dust was settling, he’d definitely stopped Ina from going to war, her seat of government was in ruins and the bulk of her forces had perished. From across the chasm he saw a few figures moving. Good, at least there were survivors.

As the dust settled Draknor spotted a familiar blue scaled figure, her dress tattered. Seeing him she shook her fist, the wandering Dracoz ducked down behind a rock as arrows whizzed by him.

“Damn you Draknor! You’ve ruined everything! My plans, our futures!” Ina roared. “The fulcrum’s lost as is my army, the rebels will be emboldened now. You’ve stopped a war abroad in favor of a civil war! Is that better to what passes for a conscience?”

Draknor growled, “Maybe not, but you have a chance to end this civil war before more lives are lost!”

“What are you babbling about?” She called back.

“Advocate your rule, the rebels only fight because you rein! If you truly love all your subjects dearly that is!”

Ina screamed back in rage, no words just sounds of anger before forming a response.

“It is well you are on the opposite side of that chasm! For when next we meet I will exact my vengeance, you’ve taken everything from me, and I shall take the only thing you have left. Your life!”

Draknor huffed, “So be it Ina, enemies to the end.The Dracoz way.”

The once royal figure of Ina departed a small entourage remaining loyal to her, such devotion was to be admired, or so Draknor thought.

He turned away from the destruction wrought by his own hand and pondered. Where to now? Somewhere, there was somewhere he would find where Dracoz could settle in and live in isolation. A place to reflect and improve. Maybe Ina would change her ways? Or maybe that was asking too much. Draknor thought on the vision he’d had, every now and then he had to think on it and reaffirm his belief that he wasn’t chasing a dream.

Some day he’d find it, or die trying; either would mean an end to the lone nomad. He looked to the mountains at the end of the grass seas. Somewhere out there…. Somewhere.