The Blade of Tiak

Chapter One

The Beast charged forward and smashed through the outer gate of the city. The creature was gargantuan in size and strength. It was so tall that its back rose above the high outer wall of the city. It slowly backed up, crunching the flattened gate under its hind legs. The city it was attacking was the capital of the local land. The only place in the small country that had Dragon Riders. The only place with the ability to call for help from the surrounding countries. If this city fell the country would crumble in a matter of days.

The Beast swung its massive horned head and destroyed another fifty feet or so of the Outer Wall. This creature was a Bhari Jeyint. One of the last of its kind; some distant, cousin to the Common Dragon.

The Mages and Wizards in their Magic Towers on either side of the main square watched in horror through their scrying bowls and crystal balls. Some of them had theorised this might happen, but the city was completely defenseless to such an attack. None of these men, powerful in their own right, had any magic strong enough to effect something like a Bhari. They scrambled around in shock and panic trying to evacuate the city as fast as possible. Most of the citizens had already been warned and moved to the far side and a few had already made it out into the plains; but the city would be destroyed, there would be no chance of saving it now. The Mages knew their dragons would be of no use against the beast in battle so they used them now to help with evacuation.