Chapter 1: Rogue

    Over the course of the last few years after the now historic dragon rebellions, a peaceful truce had been called between dragon and human species.  The ruler of the Silver Kingdom, King Pliet, forged this alliance with the figurehead of the rebellions, Melee Bishop.
    Dragon and human both managed to coexist, but tensions were still there.  No acts of violence outside of a few incidents at the start of the alliance ever appeared however.  Slavery had since ended, but most dragons still chose to use their sutures that kept their ability to breath fire away as a sign of good faith to the newfound peace.
    Melee himself joined the royal army and fulfilled his dream of knighthood shortly afterwards, becoming the first dragon in history to achieve the honor.  What made him different though is that he preferred to fight without armor, but also settled on a set of light armor to keep his agility up since Pliet insisted on it.  Over the years, he managed to prove to be an excellent protector of the kingdom and was given his own small army to command. composed of both flesh and scales.  He often finds himself exploring lands that were new to him, quashing anything that could threaten the safety of the kingdom and the trust of the alliance.
    The dragon had also since moved back to his home village of Modley in order to protect it.  When he returned, the small village had grown considerably, thanks to the expanded trade routes and increase in visitors to see the area that was once feared.  Most inhabitants that lived in the village were dragons, enjoying their freedom from oppression and slavery.  Despite his fame, Melee chose to live in a simple hut, made of the natural materials that the dragons had been using for centuries.

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    It was a cold, winter evening when Melee retired to his house for the day after running a few drills with his army, which now lived in their homes inside the village instead of camping outside the limits of the town.  Wearing his traditional purple tunic, Melee was resting in his chair, reading one of the books that he was allowed to take from the library at the palace before returning to Modley.  Two candle lights illuminated the interior of the windowless room.
    A knock emitted from the wooden door at the far end of the room, making Melee's gaze avert from his book towards that direction.  He closed the book and sat it on the nearby bed before approaching the door.  He opened it to see a messenger shaking violently while clutching a crumpled piece of paper in his hand.  The dragon instantly knew something was amiss.
    "Why has the king brought you messenger?"
    "Sir Knight, I hail from Ashleaf, not from Silverburg.  Ashleaf is under attack Sir!"
    "How?!  That city is well within the boundaries of the kingdom!"
    "It happened so fast!  The siege had just begun when I was given this message and slipped out through the city walls.  The person that gave me this letter told me to find you," the messenger answered as he handed the piece of paper.
    Melee read through the hurriedly scribbled note.

    Melee, Ashleaf has fallen under attack.  Scouts are saying that it is some rogue dragon army, but nobody is willing to leave their homes to check.  I swear, I could've thought that I have been hearing the roar of a feral dragon, but those haven't been seen in ages.  Please, get your army here and save the city!

    -Natalie

    Natalie, the girl that freed Melee from slavery when he was young.  Despite what became between them in the end, he still considered her as a friend and would do what is necessary to ensure her safety.  He owed her that much for opening the first doors to reach today.
    "Thank you messenger.  Please, stay here in Modely until the conflict has been resolved," he spoke in a calm voice.
    It didn't ease the man's shaking.  "I'll just stay at the inn then."
    "Let the staff know that I have sent you there.  You won't be charged."
    "Thank you.  May the gods protect you and give you time to save Ashleaf!"
    The man clumsily ran off, Melee slammed the door closed.  He looked at the note again and sighed deeply.  I have to hurry, he thought.
    He donned his light armor and took his two swords; the original shortsword he has had since childhood and a silver longsword he obtained upon becoming a knight.  Once he made sure that his equipment was ready, he rushed from his home to the area of the town where his men lived.
    It didn't take him more than thirty minutes to alert his men and get them together in their formation outside of the village.  Some of them were already on horseback to transport extra food and materials.
    "Ashleaf has fallen under attack to what reports say is a rogue army of dragons."
    He could hear the murmurs of discontent among the men in his army.  He knew that some still didn't particularly care for the alliance, even if their duty entitles them to honor it.
    "We must make sure that this does not bring an end to an alliance that my kind has worked so hard to obtain for this.  It is our duty to ensure that peace stays in this land for generations to come.  Let's hurry."
    The army saluted their commander, despite how they may feel about the situation.  They started for Ashleaf, Melee praying that the army makes it in time.