"The worship of Dragons in the Drakes has been outlawed by Temple Godwalkers and that ruling came into Civil Law when the Council of the Hunt banned it in the year 3100 D.S. (Dragon's Slumber) during the outset of the Blood Scale war 2,900 years ago. It is the will of Givsney that any of their fell worshipers be sought out and put to the sword as Seer Ademar intended."— Arch Cleric of Givsney Azul Flame-trail
***
I held the flintlock in my hands and cranked the striker back. "Sure as the Hells are flaming."
The tall human gentlemen with blond flowing hair smiled. "Good, because I've only got the one shot."
He flourished his cane revealing a blade of about an arm's length. He dashed behind one of the many pillars on the courtyard's edge. Students were being cut down left and right. Professor Durance had managed to gather a few and they retreated towards the back of the courtyard. As one of the riders sallied forth towards him the professor exhaled deeply. He then stuck his hands out in front of him as a torrent of wind sent the rider flying off of his mount. As the rider hit the stones he stuck his sword into the ground and pressed himself up. As I lined up the shot I retracted and bolted for the door. The blond gentlemen grabbed my arm. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I've got no quarrel with these dastards."
He then blew a sharp bit of air out and spun his finger in the air. The doors in an instant closed shut. He then shoved me out into the courtyard. "As long as I'm here your quarrels are my quarrels, kid." Gods' breath.
I lined up the shot again. The rider walked slowly towards the professor. Just as he was about to thrust his blade into the chest of a struggling student, I squeezed the trigger. Smoke billowed forth from the barrel as the gun kicked up towards the sky. The shot landed and the rider fell to the ground in a slump. The student got up and ran over to the professor's side. Slowly though, the rider got up. He rolled his shoulder and cracked his neck. I turned back to the blond fellow. "What now?"
He flipped and flourished his sword in his hand. "Improvise."
He rushed forward and slid at the rider's legs. The rider brought his sword down upon him. Which the mysterious man knocked away as he kicked the figure down to the ground. The professor then exhaled once more creating a gust of wind that sent the rider hurling into the sky. He then led his students across the courtyard towards the door. I opened the door and the blond gentleman rushed in kind. Once we were all through I shut the wooden door. "What were those things?"
The blond gentleman shook his head. "No idea." He then grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind my back. He faced the professor and held his blade up to my throat. "Now, Professor Durance, I do believe that you wanted to show me your study?"
Professor Durance raised his eyebrows. "Let the lad go."
He tisked and drew a bit of blood. "I hoped you wouldn't say that."
I gritted my teeth. "You can't just let him walk all over you."
The professor shook his head. "Damned thief. Fine, follow me."
The gentlemen kneed me in the back. So much for helping his sorry hide. We walked down the hallway as guards rushed past us hurrying towards the courtyard. Why in the hells were they not doing anything?
We finally reached a great metal door. It read upon it in bold text Archaeological studies wing. The Academy was built upon an Ancient Temple to the Goddess Wyverl. So we made a partnership with the Archaeological University of Dragon's Knee to excavate the site. I guess that has garnered us some unwanted attention.
The professor unlocked the door and led us in. The room was large and spacious. The grey stones of the Academy had been dug up and pushed aside revealing intricately carved pieces of marble below. Upon a white alter at the center of the room, there was a horn. It wrapped itself three times like a bugle and it seemed to be made out of a singular bone. A bone that was unnaturally white. The fiend holding me then tossed me to the floor. I managed to break my fall with my arms but I scraped my knee. The pain seared as he walked over me. He folded his arms. "Grab it now."
The professor sighed and took the bugle in his hands. As he was about to hand it over to the rogue something slammed into the door. The rogue turned to face it. I swiped his legs causing him to fall to the floor. The door flung open and a guard flew across the room. A figure clad in plate armor walked slowly into the room. The professor exhaled and placed his hands in front of him. Flames spewed forth, but the plate-clad titan only threw his red cape in front of him. The flames wrapped around it and collided with the stone wall. The plate-clad figure then stuck his hand out to his side and exhaled. A long single-edged blade formed in his palm as he approached the professor. He placed his gauntlet on his shoulder and ran him through. He then gently put the professor on the ground as he took the bugle from him. He then Tossed the blade away which faded like mist as he walked over to me. He knelt down and tilted his helmet. "Such sorrow in those eyes. This world has worn your soul hasn't it?"
I breathed heavily as I looked up at the cold helmet. His eyes were icy blue which sent shivers down my spine. "I'm not afraid of you."
He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good. Then you will not fear what the new dawn may bring. Sleep child."
His form became that of a shadow as all of the light in the room contorted and melded around him; my soul itself felt like it was being torn asunder from my chest. The pain seared ripped me in two as my vision faded into darkness.