Dragonrider
Prolog
The city Yakazu, capital of the kingdom with the same name, lies exactly between
the sea and the spurs of the Storm Mountains on this side of the large desert.
This situation, blessed simultaneously with a protected small natural port and
on feet of the only good mountain passes, makes it rich. So rich, that this city
can afford the luxury of an own king, of a great bazaar and of regular wars with
envious neighbors.
Every caravan from the south must ship its goods here. Every trader from the
north can unload and resell his goods virtually only here.
As often, market does not only bring fortune but also pulls dangers with it.
Nonetheless weighted differently by everyone. The arrogant customs officer who
try to receive the best pieces from every shipment or the port guardians whose
main aim it is to either blackmail trader or to provide them with whores of both
gender are annoying, disturbing too sometimes, however they are not dangerous.
The shadows in the night, which creep around drunken traders and sailors like
vultures until they suddenly strike are already something else. Some only take
that what they want to have - purses, jewelry, maybe good clothing or shoes for
themselves. Others also take the life of their victims.
The last ones are not held in good respect, not even among their kind. One kills
no booty, which would be able to return, and which would be able to be plundered
once again - it is regarded as bad style. That is indeed no great comfort but
the number of the dead nevertheless holds itself into boundaries, maybe 4 per
moon. In a matched manner with approx. 50 robbed persons it is relatively
harmless.
And then there are the gangs. Military organized and very effectively the ones,
a wild, unbridled pile the others. They are the true danger because they have
the control of the passes of the Storm Mountains. In the mountains there are
thousands hiding places, an army could hide in them. The gangs strike fast, rob,
plunder what they can get and withdraw again. Some leave only dead behind, the
others are satisfied with the goods.
One of the gangs is especially brave. The people talk about it as the
"Fog" - this gang is just as bad to trace and catch as fog clouds.
They board the merchant ships by means of boats even in the night and fetch
directly especially sought after booty for themselves from there - gold, ivory,
pearls, silk. It is well organized, their chief is unknown, there are only rumors
about him. He should be big, white hair, blue eyes and a perfect body - too good
to be true. He is very feared although or just because he does virtually never
kill. His plans are simply too brilliant and too risky. Well, no one could ever
take him prisoner - or even see him really ...
Others are better known. Ikaru of the black tigers, a giant of figure is very
cruelly, cold as a dog snout. He leads the tallest troop and is the most
unrelenting one also. Even traders who offer ransom survive the acquaintance
with him rarely.
The red-haired Linus who looks so harmless. His gang strikes again and again
fast on the pass height and retires just as fast again. He is courageous, not as
cruelly as Ikaru. People who surrender are lucky most times.
There are another dozen further gangs, and even more thieves who work alone. All
use either the tempest mountains as a cover or hide themselves in the catacombs
of the city.
Yakazu is by the way just as known for the skilled thieves and the beautiful
dancers - what means a lot, because the girls are really pretty.
Many fugitives came into the city Yakazu, because of the bad harvest in this
year and together with a revolt of the desert nomads they increase the numbers
of gangs. The assaults increased in such a way, that king Boltis, normally a
rather calm representative of the royal line, decided to reach through hard.
"That is not your seriousness! It can not be!" "Yes, it is. The
mob must be stopped. I decided to sign on the Dragonriders and your complaining
will not keep me away from that." The king, a otherwise good-natured man
with well-rounded proportions, sits on the throne with crimson face. His
consultant runs against his habit hectically through the hall. "But sire,
the dragon riders are expensive, alone the food of the dragons costs a property.
And the city guards won't be happy, the men will feel passed over."
"The riders don't cost as much as the assaults of the cursed gangs. In
addition, the Name of our city is on the game as commercial posts. What shall I
say to the people, if only every third caravan passes the mountains without
losses? And what concerns the guards: If they would be good enough, I wouldn't
need outside aid. It is decided: I will ask the emperor for aid of his elite, he
will send some of his people. And those will solve our problem, I am sure of
that at least!" King Boltis chases his counselor out and calls for a
writer. He wants to lose no more time now.
Six beautiful, big Dragons land elegant onto the castle courtyard eight days
later.
And that is the point, where it starts to become really interesting .......