Free Web NovelCHAPTER 49 — DRAGONKIN CHALLENGE
The Dragonspine Mountains had stood long before the first human kingdom.
Long before the Church.
Long before even the oldest legends of the Abyss.
Among those volcanic peaks lived one of the oldest races in Elyndor.
The Dragonkin.
Molten rivers flowed beneath bridges carved from obsidian.
Great dragons circled smoking volcanoes high above.
Massive forges roared day and night, their fires fueled by magma drawn from the heart of the mountains.
Warriors trained with spear and sword beneath crimson banners bearing the crest of a dragon wrapped around a blazing sun.
This was the Dominion of Drakhar.
And at its center stood its greatest warrior.
Lady Elyra.
She sparred with six elite Dragonkin knights at once.
Steel rang through the training grounds.
One knight attacked from the front.
Another from behind.
The others surrounded her.
Without hesitation, Elyra met them all.
Her spear flowed like liquid fire.
One strike disarmed the first knight.
A spinning kick sent another crashing to the ground.
She caught a third warrior's sword between her gauntlets and twisted, snapping the blade in half.
Within moments...
The courtyard fell silent.
Every challenger lay defeated.
Elyra rested her spear across one shoulder.
"Again."
The knights groaned.
Inside the Hall of Embers...
The Elder Council awaited.
One elder stepped forward.
"The Holy Empire has requested military support."
Another added,
"They claim a Monster Queen is building an empire."
Elyra remained expressionless.
"They also claimed Rhazakar was unbeatable."
"He fell."
"They claimed monsters could never unite."
"They were wrong."
She crossed her arms.
"I have little interest in fighting someone based on another nation's fear."
A younger noble scoffed.
"Then perhaps you're afraid."
Silence filled the hall.
Elyra slowly turned toward him.
The temperature seemed to rise.
"What was that?"
The noble swallowed hard.
"I..."
She planted her spear into the stone floor.
"If you question my courage..."
"...challenge me yourself."
The noble immediately lowered his gaze.
"No further questions."
Far away...
The Abyssal Domain.
A royal messenger arrived carrying a scroll sealed in red wax.
Captain Rowan brought it directly to Vespera.
"It bears the crest of Drakhar."
Vespera accepted the scroll.
She broke the seal.
Inside was a single sentence.
If the stories of the Abyssal Queen are true, prove them. Meet me at Ashpeak Pass beneath the next full moon. Come as a ruler... or do not come at all. — Elyra
Kragga grinned.
"I like her already."
Lirael sighed.
"Or she's setting a trap."
Nyxara examined the handwriting.
"No."
"This isn't how assassins write."
"It's a challenge."
That evening...
The council debated.
"We shouldn't risk you."
Captain Rowan argued.
"If this is an ambush—"
"It probably isn't."
Nyxara interrupted.
"Dragonkin value honor."
"They don't need tricks."
"If Elyra wanted Vespera dead..."
"...she'd simply say so."
Kragga burst into laughter.
"Now that's my kind of woman."
Vespera looked around the table.
"If I ignore the invitation..."
"The Dragonkin may believe we're weak."
"If I accept..." freёwebnoѵel.com
"We open the door to diplomacy."
She smiled.
"I'll go."
Lirael folded her arms.
"Alone?"
Vespera shook her head.
"No."
"As a queen."
Three days later...
Ashpeak Pass.
Snow covered the ancient stone road despite the warmth of summer below.
Vespera climbed the final ridge in her human form, wearing black diplomatic armor instead of royal robes.
Beside her walked Lirael, Kragga, Sylvana, Nyxara, Captain Rowan, and a small honor guard.
At the summit...
A lone figure waited.
Scarlet hair danced in the mountain wind.
A crimson cloak flowed behind polished dragon-scale armor.
A long spear rested lightly in one hand.
Elyra.
She studied the approaching delegation.
"So..."
"The stories underestimated you."
Vespera stopped a respectful distance away.
"And you must be Lady Elyra."
"The same."
Neither woman moved.
Neither reached for a weapon.
For several long moments...
They simply measured one another.
Then Elyra smiled.
"A queen who comes without an army."
"Interesting."
Vespera smiled back.
"A warrior who invites diplomacy before battle." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"Also interesting."
Kragga whispered to Lirael,
"I can't tell if they're about to become friends..."
"...or level the mountain."
Lirael answered without taking her eyes off the two rulers.
"Perhaps both."
Elyra suddenly spun her spear.
The air cracked with the force of the movement.
She pointed the blade toward the sky instead of Vespera.
"Tomorrow..."
She declared.
"I will test your strength."
She lowered the spear.
"But tonight..."
She extended her free hand.
"...let us share a meal."
Vespera accepted the gesture.
"Agreed."
High above them...
An ancient dragon watched from the clouds.
Its golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"The prophecy..."
"It has finally begun."
End of Chapter 49
Thank you for reading Chapter 49!
We've finally met the Dragonkin, one of the oldest and most powerful races in Elyndor. Elyra isn't arriving as an enemy or an ally—she has her own beliefs, her own code, and her own reasons for seeking out Vespera.
Next chapter begins their first real test.
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