-Chapter 1-

Enter the Dragon

A lone carrier pigeon winged its way silently across a perfect June morning, flitting in and out of the clouds as it sped westward. It passed over lakes, plains and towns, stopping to rest only at night. After many days of travel, a mountain range slowly rose into view in the distance. Without hesitation, it descended and flew between the peaks, eventually coming to an opening in the otherwise featureless face of a cliff wall. Perching on the threshold ledge, it cooed softly into the cave.

After a few minutes, something stirred in the darkness of the cave. The poor bird attempted to take flight in fear as a full-grown dragon emerged into the sunlight, reached out and grabbed the terrified pigeon from mid-air. The bird struggled uselessly as the dragon unfastened the message from around its leg, then absentmindedly ate the messenger as he read it. When he was finished, he let the parchment drift out into the mountain air. Once it had floated out of sight, he returned to his cave, but reappeared a moment later with a gold medallion around his neck and a leather pouch slung around his shoulder. He launched himself from the cliffside; early morning sunlight glinting off metallic scales as he flew steadily eastwards.

Three days later, he made a gentle landing on a path amid the heavy smell of wildflowers at the edge of a gentle dip in the land. The path ran straight on ahead of him, branching out into the streets of a small town cradled in a gentle valley formed between the surrounding bluffs. As he walked down the path and into the town, he found himself surrounded by its inhabitants. Adults browsed in shops while children frolicked in the streets, playing tag, dancing, or just running for the sake of running. The dragon marvelled silently at the variety of people living in the town. There were humans, of course, but there was almost the same number of dragons, as well as a healthy scattering of werepeople and even some lizard-like shicans, all living together and friendly enough, judging from the many polite nods he received. He had to stop to allow the passage of a small avalanche of young creatures chasing each other. One, a werefox cub, stopped to stare, intrigued by the newcomer.

Still panting from running, the cub's eyes darted from the stranger's kindly blue-scaled face, to his half-folded wings, and then to the large, forward curving ridges along his back. Finally, they rested on his medallion, the gold circle with a black bird's head standing out against the silver scales of his chest. The youngster gasped, a huge grin spreading across his face.

"Are you really a Raven?" he asked, excited. The dragon simply nodded, smiling at the cub's forwardness. "You are? Wow! Hey, everyone! Quick, over here!"

His friends stopped their game and approached the duo. The Raven counted two humans, a very young dragon, a female otter, and his friend the fox cub. " What is it, Will?" asked the otter, impatient to restart their game.

"Look, everyone! He's a Raven, see! Look, look at his necklace!" The stranger had to grin as he was assaulted by questions from the group. After they had calmed down a bit, one of the humans, a boy of about six, stood straight and with grown-up dignity said , "What's your name, Raven?"

He was about to answer when the crowd ahead of him suddenly parted and two burly red dragons trotted up to him. One came right up to him and said, "Are you Lukas Seascale?"

"I am," the stranger said, noticing that the children were standing reverently back. These reds were important.

The one who had spoken grinned warmly. "Welcome to Nirca. My name is Bardot and this is my brother Vadim. Please, follow us." Here he turned, and threw his brother a would-be hidden raised eyebrow. Vadim shrugged slightly in response. They walked with one of the Reds on either side of the Raven, who couldn't help thinking he was being guarded. The note he had received had only hinted at what was expected of him, but it seemed as though it was going to be big.

"I hope those children didn't bother you too much," said Vadim, looking back at the pack of admirers, who were trying to follow them without being seen.

"Not at all," said Lukas, chuckling as the mob fell all over each other in an attempt to hide themselves from view. "I love kids"

They reached the end of the road, and a large, circular building, made from large, impressive logs stood on their ends. There was a set of broad stone steps leading up to a large doorway. Bardot and Vadim stopped at the steps, standing to either side. "Go on in," said Bardot. "Arnis is waiting."

Lukas made it up one step before he stopped, stepped back and turned to Bardot. "Arnis? The Arnis? Arnis Greatclaw?" He asked, with a note of awed fear in his voice.

"The same", replied Vadim, smiling at the panicked expression on the younger dragon's face. "Relax. He's the one who asked you here."

A very nervous Raven crept up the stairs and past the draped cloth door. He hadn't been expecting this. Not only was he in unfamiliar territory, surrounded by strangers; he now had to give an impromptu address to one of his childhood heroes. His stomach knotted as he looked around. The structure was all one room with no windows, the only light coming from dim torches. Lukas saw a long table to one side, and tapestries hung from the walls and between the oaken pillars that held up the roof. He looked around, but saw no sign of Arnis.

"Over here, Raven."

Squinting through the darkness, Lukas saw a dim figure on the far side of the room. Approaching slowly, he stopped, bowing deeply as he reached the shadowy bulk as it reclined on a pile of pillows.

"Thank you for coming, little one. Now, stand up so that I can see you." Arnis said, rising and lighting a torch.

The light seemed blinding after the near darkness. After clearing his vision, he saw Arnis Greatclaw, the living legend. He was a dragon, half again as tall as Lukas, his golden scales glittering faintly in the torchlight. A deep scar ran below his right eye, but didn't interfere with a benign smile, marking his face along with a multitude of small spikes along his chin and up his snout. He was old and thin, but his wings were powerful and wide, and his tail swished slowly behind him in a ready, catlike way.

Arnis looked the smaller dragon over. His sources had said he was young, but this was still surprising: surely this pup's reputation had been exaggerated? There were Ravens twice his age with less impressive service records. However, it was too late to find someone else, so he focused more on inspecting his guest, who was still standing there with his head bowed. Lukas Seascale was unscarred and powerful-looking, with a confidant stride and a slow smile that belied wisdom beyond his years. His well cared-for scales were ocean blue on top and silver on his neck and belly. His eyes were dark and intelligent, framed by short spikes on either cheek. From the back of his head sprouted two long, fleshy horns. These would sway gently as he moved and straighten or curl depending on his mood, somewhat like the ears of a dog. He had a curving horn on his forehead, long enough to be of use, but not so long that it was in the way. All in all, he looked as though he could certainly take care of himself, as well as anyone else if necessary. Satisfied, the ancient dragon lay back down, and his guest sat back on his haunches.

"Well, Lukas, I'm impressed. I wasn't expecting you for another few days, at least. When did you receive my message?"

"Three days ago, sir." Lukas replied, bowing again.

"Three days?" asked Arnis. "Incredible. I only sent that pigeon a week ago. You must be an excellent flyer, little Raven."

Lukas blushed, lowering his head more. "The winds were with me, Lord Arnis."

Arnis suddenly snorted agitatedly and snapped. "Don't be so damned modest. You've got skill if I say you do. Now, cut the humble routine and make yourself comfortable." Lukas lay down on the floor, keeping his head raised respectfully.

"That's better. Now, you're probably wondering why I asked you here. It's really very simple: I need your help." Lukas perked up at this. Arnis Greatclaw, hero of more battles then he could count, needed the help of an underage Raven? Arnis continued. "What do you think of Nirca, young Lukas?"

Lukas smiled, remembering the streets of the little town. "It's wonderful. I've never seen a town with so many different species living together. It seems like a very happy place to live."

Arnis sighed. "That it is. Years ago, after my fighting days were over, I came across this valley and decided that it was a good place to found a home. In the beginning, it was only myself, four other dragons, and a handful of humans and werepeople. Over the years, it has grown into the busy spot it is today. We vowed when we laid the first stone that no one with good intentions would ever be turned away, and we have kept that promise to this day." Here he heaved an enormous sigh. "But those ideals are, sadly, isolated to this valley. There are others with less noble intentions, who would seek to claim the treasure I collected in my younger days.

"A week and a half ago, my adopted daughter Aria was ambushed in the hills north of here and taken prisoner. Her captors sent me a message, telling me that I was to forfeit my entire fortune to them in exchange for her life. They told me that she wouldn't be harmed, as long as I didn't do anything stupid." He suddenly grinned wryly, "so, I decided to do something smart, and hire a Raven. I'm too old to go myself, and the other dragons in Nirca would be too inexperienced to succeed.

"Our town recorder keeps fairly up to date records of all Ravens in service, and we get frequent updates from passing travellers and from your headquarters. Normally, I wouldn't even consider this. I want to make it very clear that I don't deal with Ravens if I can help it Ravens, but this is a special situation. We had to go through the profiles one at a time to find a Raven that fit. We needed a dragon, or a kainen at the very least, and who was close enough to be here in time." He picked up a few pieces of parchment from the floor and began flipping through them. "The first we found was Shah Broadfoot. Pah! I'm not asking any favours of that old windbag. We served together for a while. Don't think he liked me much. Then there was Mantra Forde," he gave a snort of disapproval. "It'll be a cold day in Hell before I hire that imbecile. You know, they never did find the other half of that trading party." The two dragons chuckled. "After a while, we found your record." Arnis looked closer at the last piece of parchment and reading it, said, "It seems that on your very first job, you were hired to walk along with a convoy carrying both treasure and some important guests bound for your employers. You were only going to be part of a show of strength to impress the people being transported, as trouble was not expected. However, you were attacked by three separate mercenary groups, as well as a shican raiding party. The convoy arrived with all but two guards dead, but the cargo and emissaries safe and sound." He paused here and stared hard at Lukas. "Still going to play humble, boy?"

When Lukas merely blushed harder, he continued, "this is the kind of service I need. I can't afford to deal with kidnappers; I want my daughter back. I was told to bring the money to Korda fortress, to the Southeast. I can only assume she is being held there. I want Aria returned to me. Will you do this for me?"

Lukas bowed deeply. "Of course." After all, he thought to himself, if I refuse to work for The Arnis Greatclaw, my reputation might never recover.

The old one looked elated. "Excellent! Please leave as soon as possible. I will send a message ahead as a decoy, so they don't expect you. When you return, I will see that you are well rewarded." He lifted a loose floorboard and Lukas could see the dim outlines of gold coins, heaped below the floorboards. As he replaced the floorboard, Arnis suddenly looked troubled. "One more thing before you go. In order to have kidnapped my daughter, these thugs would need something very large and strong to aid them. I have reason to believe there is another dragon guarding her. Be careful."

Lukas took his leave. As he was about to go through the door, Arnis called to him, "When her parents died, they left Aria's life in my hands. That responsibility is now yours. Good luck, Raven."