Magesdream

Chapter One: In the Beginning

Darkness falls over the Kobold Kingdom, as fire rains down from above......

It was a dark, rainy evening when Hidro entered the tavern. The warm smell of mead filled his nose, and he grinned slightly. This was what he had been waiting for the last 4 days. 'Go find us some please to sit', he whispered to Ignis, in the deep draconic tongue. Without hesitation, the small dragon flew to an empty table in a dark corner of the room. Hidro could feel the eyes watching him as he walked across to the bar. 'One mead, and make it quick', he said in his deep voice, tossing a few gold coins onto the counter. At that moment a sweet voice filled his head. 'Make them leave', Ignis asked him, telepathically. As he turned toward his loyal companion, he could see the 2 guys staring at his friend. 'She doesn't like that', Hidro shouted across the room, his Draconic accent clear to all.

'Oh yeah', one of the bandits says, staring him down. 'And what are you going to do about it?' Before either of the bandits could react however, Hidro had thrown his dagger into the chest of the first. Not fatally, but with enough force to knock him over. The second felt a sharp jab against his ribs, before he was swept of his feet. 'WHAT THE', he yelled out as he saw the small creature standing over him, his quarterstaff at his throat. He heard his friend wheezing for air, the dagger still in his chest. 'Don't worry about him. He'll be fine', Hidro said in a dark voice. 'Worry about yourself. You insulted my friend.' The bandit looked at him, fear filling his eyes. 'Oh, don't worry', Hidro said. 'I won't kill you.' Saying that, he pulled back his staff, sheathing the bladed tip carefully. The bandit, still on the floor, crawled to his friend, pulling the dagger out. 'You almost killed us', he squawked as Hidro snatched his dagger from the bandit, before turning around and waving his hand through the air. 'Ignis', he growled. 'Dinner.'

Hidro walks through the small town, his hood pulled far over his face. Ignis, now sitting comfortably on his shoulder, is still busy eating what seems like the ear of one of the bandits. 'Enjoying yourself?' Ignis squawks. 'Good, because this was a one off.' Saying that, Hidro notices a young girl laying in one of the alleyways. Carefully, he pulls his dagger, walking into the alley at full alert. 'Hey', he growls. 'You awake?' No reaction. He shakes her gently, but to no avail. 'She's cute', Ignis says. 'Pervert', Hidro replies, annoyed. 'And about your size too'. Hidro growls as Ignis giggles. She always loved teasing her master. Hidro gently inspects the girl for any wounds, and sighs. 'She's alive, that's for sure. But as of her current condition. Ignis, why don't you make yourself useful and go get some help.' Ignis, now annoyed, flaps her wings, taking off. Not even 5 minutes later, she returns, 2 guards following her. 'We heard someone got hurt', they said as they dropped to their knees. 'I think she's unconscious. You should get her inside', Hidro says as he gets up, ready to walk away. 'Wait', one of the guards says. 'You should be rewarded.' Hidro growls. 'No need to', he replies, walking into the night.

'Why didn't you accept that reward?' Ignis flies over Hidro, flying backwards so she can see him. 'Because I don't need a reward.' 'But why not', she continues, just before Hidro reaches out to slap her head. 'Will you stop questioning my every choice', he says frustrated as he enters the small cabin, just outside of town. The cabin wore the Rangers Insignia, a bright red shield with three crossing arrows, the words Renata Sit, Et Mori inscribed into the crest. Beneath the shield, the guild's name can be seen. Shadow Rangers. The most elite rangers in the entire place. 'Ah, Hidro returns', a voice calls out from the dark. 'Welcome back brother', another says. 'Thanks guys.' Hidro walks further into the shack as Ignis takes off, landing silently on one of the bookshelves. 'Hidro', a deep voice says, a large man entering the room from one of the side doors. 'Gravnir', Hidro replies. They stare at each other for a few moments, before Gravnir starts to laugh, hugging Hidro briefly. 'Long time no see my friend', he says in the deep Republic accent. Taking a step back Gravnir looks over the small creature in front of him. 'You look like hell.' 'Yeah ran into some trouble along the way.' Gravnir laughs. 'But you showed them didn't you.' Hidro laughs too. 'So what have you got for me?' He looks as Gravnir pulls a few papers out. 'A girl apparently fell out of the sky. I want you to go check it out.' Hidro looks at him confused. 'Fell from the sky? What does that mean?' 'No idea. But I'm sure you'll figure it out.'