Chapter 1: The Destruction of Deurk

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A thousand years ago, in a distant kingdom, was the small village of Deurk. For many years the village had lived in tranquil peace, with no thought given to bandits or plagues or other such disasters. But one day, a dragon, black as night, great and fierce, appeared from the north and attacked the village. It flew about on leathery wings, making a great noise and destroying houses with its fiery breath before grabbing up many of the villagers cattle and flying away. As soon as the great worm was out of sight and hearing, the terrified villagers quickly put out the fires and took stock of the damage. Though many of their habitations were greatly burned, none were killed. The villagers all thought the dragon would not be so foolhardy as to return, so none were spared from the rebuilding to watch for the dragon the next day. Thus, much to the lizard's great delight the next morn, it came up the town much as it did the previous day. So it proceeded to destroy and terrorize again, burning down what the villagers had rebuilt, plus some, and taking with it more cattle. The terrified villagers then realized that the fierce drake was not about to leave. So a guard was mounted to watch for the beast whilst the other worked, some forging weapons and armor (For they now knew they would have to fight the monster if peace was to be restored), others rebuilding habitations, in hopes the beast would be stopped before he could burn them again. So it was the next day, at about noon, the beast came upon the town armed and ready. But though their defense was stout, and the men's hearts full of courage, all was in vain. The worm laughed in scorn as their arrows bounced off his scaly breast, like straw stalks against a rock. It chortled as an old knight that resided in the town tried to impale it on his lance, as he had heard done, only to have it shatter against its chest. It snickered as it felled the town's men with claw and flame as they vainly tried to stop it from reaching the town. It shrieked in fiendish glee as it stalked the terrified villagers through the streets. It snorted happily as it burned all the villagers had repaired. And it roared in triumph as it flew away to its hiding place, with more cattle clutched in its claws. There was great weeping as the townsfolk mourned their slain. Then, when the dead were put to rest, they took council, and said, " There is nothing we can do to stop this monster. Might there be someone who can stop it? Not the Baron." for they knew he was to far away to do any good, being a four days journey away. Then a young man of the town, named Kirac, stood forward and said, "I will attempt to slay it." Now the man's father had died in battle against the dragon, therefore he stood forward, for to take vengeance against it.


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