Lapis-scales slide across the tips of the ocean waves, a salty breeze flutters the ivory hair of a boy almost man standing on the coastline. He turns back to the mainland leaving his boot imprints scattered across the sandy shores. He walks through a quiet market, the streets feel sleepy even in the midst of the day. His footsteps echoed across the tile road as he descended the stone walkway that made its way down to the shire. A bell tinkles as he enters the blacksmith shop, a voice boasts, "Welcome back, Mattis". From around the corner appears a tall and burly man who is covered head to toe in soot. Mattis walks by the man coldly, and takes off his street shoes to put on his leather work boots. Mattis grabs a pair of dirty goggles off of a hook on the wall, as well as tightens a leather apron around his waist. He grabs a steel rod and shoves it into the heated coals of the furnace located to his side. After a while he pulls out the rod and starts pounding away, forging his final section for his magnum opus. For years he has slaved away hours of his life to complete his perfect sword. An intricate piece that uses an alloy of serpent scales he found washed up on the shore, mixed with high grade steel. The handle, carved from the antler of a deer he hunted. And the hilt and pommel are made from sapphire. And today the sword has finally been completed, the sun falls as he steps outside to admire his work, the sword glimmering in the last dying light. With that he sheathed his creation and headed back inside the shop, going straight to bed after his long day of work.
Dawn breaks and Mattis is struggling against the light shining through his window. Eventually he gets up and gets dressed in his olive tunic and brown trousers. He goes downstairs and sheaths his freshly forged sword and heads out to the town square. He walks his way down the curving roads down to a cave, an old sign sits by the corner of the rocks, reading "Those who enter, shall not return". With a deep breath and a hand rested on the hilt of his sword he finds himself delving into the darkness of the stony cave. Water drips can be heard dripping from the ceiling, the further he gets into the cave the more bioluminescent algae appear to light up the dark cave. After what felt like an hour of walking he finally stumbled into a great chasm with a late in the center of it all. From the water arose a giant serpentine head startling Mattis. He drew his sword and shakingly pointed it at the serpent. The serpent spoke into his mind, startling him even further, "I am Arcaeus, serpent of the cave, worry not for I won't harm you. I see you have a fascination with us serpents…" Mattis stood there stunned, "Yes, I do. But how would you know?". The serpent replied "The sword, forged from my kins scales, and yet no serpent kind has been harmed. You truly are admirable, I would like to lock with you". Mattis had no idea what locking even meant which the serpent saw on his face, "locking is entering a contract that says I belong to you as you to me, we will be partners in life" Mattis was disturbed by this, but he did not want to let this opportunity slip past him. "I accept the lock".
Later that evening Mattis lay awake on his mattress looking at his reflection on the blade of the sword. What had happened was something he could not really fathom, he had befriended a serpent, the creatures that trap, ensnare and divide the islands of Wyrmwind. As he drifts to sleep he wonders what his mother and father would do in this situation. The night passed and Mattis gets dressed, trading out his tunic for a red one. He clambers his way downstairs to the shop area and out the front door. Mattis goes around to the back of his house and retrieves his old fishing rod; It's about time for him to get more food. He makes his way down to a stony shore and casts his rod into the ocean. Hopefully the serpents left enough fish in this area for the next week. By noon he had caught several cod and a salmon, more than enough to last. Thinking about the serpent from yesterday he makes his way towards the forbidden cave. Being cautious as not to alert anyone of his whereabouts, as he entered the cave he brought his basket of fish with him. After a bit he finally made his way back to the serpent's lair. Mattis sets the salmon by the edge of the pool of water and the same serpent emerges from the water, "An offering?" The serpent questions Mattis. "Yes, I brought this to you as a sign of our new friendship." The serpent chuckles and graciously accepts the fish. Mattis asks "Arcaeus, how come the serpents divide the islands." Arcaeus paused his eating for a second to respond to Mattis, "A long time ago man and serpent were friends, however with the discovery of dragonkind humans found serpents inferior to our winged counterparts. The humans drove us away to these far continents." Mattis was shocked to hear this. If what the serpent says was true, then… "DO YOU EAT HUMANS?" Mattis blurted. Appalled Arcaues responded "We serpents eat fish. I'd imagine humans don't taste very good." Tears start streaming down Mattis' face, "Arcaues, could my parents still be alive?"