The Crimson Fang

Dimitri was throwing up, unable to handle the experience he had just gone through, when multiple weapons were pointed at him. They seemed to protrude from the walls around him. Ser Joseph was nowhere to be seen. “State your business, human!” “He’s with me.” Joseph walked out of the shadows. “The Crimson Dragon! Why have you returned to Crimsonia, with this…human?” “We came to see Elder Simon.” The wall began to move, as Dimitri realized he was staring at some of the best camouflage he had ever seen. When the Red-Eyes became visible, the wall disappeared. It is magic! Not the fake, pull a rabbit out of a hat trick, but real magic! He clapped quietly.

“Silence your companion, Dragon. There are ears everywhere.” Dimitri’s hands fell to his sides, forced by invisible hands. “We thought you were banished, not permitted to return.” WHAT? “While that may be true, the king that ordered my exile is no longer among us, is he?” The warriors’ eyes all widened. “He was slain by Altros, in a public execution, in the square. How is it that you know about that?” “I felt it, and I have slain the culprit.” “You killed Serpenthos? That is not possible! He is one of the High Lords!” “I have slain five of the ten High Lords so far, while in my exile. Serpenthos, Cypros, Cervanthos, Gourmanthos, and Gigantuthos have all fallen before me.” “How is that possible?” “Don’t ask questions. Just bring me to King Albert and Elder Simon, immediately. It is of great importance.” The leader of the guards, known as the Crimson Spine, paused a moment and thought. “Very well,” he said, “I will bring you to them. But, if you try anything,” “Then you will attempt to put me down, costing your own life.”

Joseph and Dimitri followed the Spine to a dilapidated house. It looked familiar to Dimitri. “Welcome home, Dragon.” It is Joseph’s home! “Why are you using my mother’s house to hide the king?” “It was my idea.” Lady Seraphina emerged from the shadows. “My illusions are powerful enough to conceal his majesty, as well as deter any Altros scouts.” King Albert and Elder Simon emerged, as well. “Let us take this into the Veil, shall we?”

Once through the darkness, Dimitri was amazed to see Joseph’s childhood home, exactly as it had been in his dreams. “It is good to see you again, my son.” Seraphina hugged her son, for the first time in centuries. “My father exiled you, Dragon, for your claims that we had been at war with the Dark Ones before. Why have you returned to us? To spread more chaos and panic?” The room grew tense, and Dimitri regretted not bringing any weapon along. “The terms of my exile were rather hazy, as to when I was able to return.” “Never! That is the point of exile!” “Also,” Joseph continued, “I have slain countless numbers of those creatures, as well as 5 of their so-called ‘High Lords,’ including the one who killed your father. Lastly, I felt the Elder Simon’s assistance in this matter, which I seem to have somehow found myself mixed in with, is necessary.” “And what, pray tell, is the conundrum you find yourself in?” Joseph pulled Dimitri forward, dragging him into the conversation. “This human has been having dreams about me, as well as the other members of the Crimson Fang.” A hush fell over the room. “Perhaps you should sit for a moment. I will need to consult the knowledge of the Ancients.”

Joseph and Dimitri sat, as Elder Simon left the room. King Albert walked over and sat as well. “Where are the other members of the Fang?” Joseph asked. “You mean, you haven’t heard?” “How could I have possibly heard anything? I have, as you have felt the need to remind me, been in exile for centuries.” King Albert nodded. “You’re right, it was a silly question. Consider your exile hereby lifted, by the way, in return for your services in stopping the enemy. We have completely lost contact with three of the remaining members of the Crimson Fang. As for the fourth, you may recognize that weapon.” He pointed to the corner and Joseph’s eyes followed, stopping on… “Geoff’s hammer! What happened?” “He was overwhelmed by Alphenthos and his army, when the Conqueror attacked a settlement of humans. He was slain with a far greater ferocity than any other Crimson Noble has ever been victim to. Alphenthos didn’t just kill him; he destroyed every last trace of his being. Except his hammer.” “And what happened to the others? How long have you been without contact?” “We lost contact with them when Alphenthos and his army retreated. We assume they are captured and awaiting execution. We believe that their capture was the sole purpose of the attack, as their presence in the human settlement had recently been uncovered.” Dimitri asked, “Why would they not just kill them immediately?” Joseph was first to respond to him. “It is much better for the morale of their army, if the enemy that causes them the most trouble is executed publicly. It shows that they can not only be beaten, but they can be killed. Do you know the whereabouts of Alphenthos and his army?” “No, we do not. If we did, we may have been able to mount a rescue.” “Then it looks as though I will have to gain that knowledge.” King Albert’s face darkened.

“How do you plan on obtaining the information you need?” “Simple, I will call one of them, and I will drink its blood. If it doesn’t possess the information I require, then I will call another. I will keep calling them, until I have Alphenthos’ whereabouts. Then I will go and kill him. He will know the wrath that the Crimson Dragon possesses, and so will the rest of his army.” “I cannot allow you to embark on this mission. It would be suicide.” “How will you stop me? Are you going to exile me again? That really wouldn’t solve anything.” King Albert paused, thinking. “Fine, go on your mission of death. But, if you return, I want you to retake your position at the head of the Crimson Fang.” Joseph laughed. “You mean when I return.”

Elder Simon returned. “I have discovered the meaning of Dimitri’s dreams. He is connected to the Crimson Nobles somehow. He is meant to become one of us, and there is no arguing or trying to get around it. This is a matter of convert or die.” “But, I cannot become a Crimson Noble! I have to help my comrades and defend our lands from the Alt…” “DO NOT SAY THEIR NAME!” “tros.” Fear suddenly became apparent on the faces of the Crimson Nobles, except for the Dragon’s, as silence took over the house, once more.