prologue

The north wind howled, snow whipping against plated steel armor. The barren trees piled with a blanket of white as boots crunched upon soft snow. The smell of smoke trailed on the wind as the heavy crunching of boots on snow sounded in the silent barren forest. on the back of the plated armored being was a blackened blade that shimmered against the pale light of the moon giving it an almost ethereal light. The armor the being wore was more scale plated, dark steel gray with gold details. The trees finally broke away to reveal a burning village, a dragon found circling around it roaring. White wisps of breath escape the helmet of the being as a clawed gauntlet reached up and pressed against the jaw of the helmet, a click sounded. The gauntlet moved to a pouch found and a wood carved flute like instrument was retrieved, intricately carved to resemble a dragon's head.

Bringing it to their lips they played a short melody that carried upon the wind, a roar answering its call. Putting the instrument back into its pouch located on the side of the armored being, they moved their hand back to the jaw, clicking a button as the plates slide back into place, covering the mouth once more. The wing flaps of a dragon closing in. They watched the village as the ground behind them shook, behind them a black dragon, scales like that of blackened stone with glowing fiery cracks.

Yellow eyes looked to the armored being before the dragon bowed its head. <You called for me?> The dragon asked, head bowed.

<The village is all but burned, any survivors have been burned or eaten. I require to take down that dragon.> They said in the same tongue, speaking in draconian.

<As you wish.> It said before taking to the sky once more, flying off. The dragon approached the town as the two beasts roared, circling before an exchange of flames, both maneuvering in such ways to avoid one another's attacks as if a dance of fire amidst crimson sky and ashen clouds. Roars carried on winds hot and cold pierced the silent veil of night as the dance continued, the armored being watching on in silence. Their dragon had managed a hit, striking the wing membrane as it began to plummet, the time to move had come.

With little hesitation the armored being advanced as the dragon they had sent began its retreat, approaching the cliff they leapt off only to be caught by their dragon and placed on its back. <Lets finish it off.> They said. As if on agreement, the two took to higher altitude before diving down upon the dragon. Reaching behind them, they drew the black blade as the dragon turned upside down, passing as the armored being swung and lopped off the head. Circling back round the armored being placed the blade back upon their back before the dragon landed.  Getting off the dragon they approached the severed head, picking it up the looked it over before placing it down. Getting out a sheet of tanned leather they bound it together and carried it back towards the dragon, climbing on and heading off.