The Eclipse

Chapter 1

  Rules of the Dragons

1. Never doubt your leader
2. Show respect to Dragons of higher profession
3. Keep on time

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Being called to the Lord's office is never good, most dragons go to be evaluated. Evaluation is the process in which Lord Synnian has dragons answer questions to see whether their brain is still learning or has stunted. Elders are evaluated at the age of one hundred sixty years. If they have stunted, they are sent to banishment. Banishment may seem like a drastic measure, but as rule one states, "Never doubt your leader". We are not allowed to question. As for me, however, I have many questions and doubts.

As I make my way to the Lord's office, I contemplate what I could have done wrong. Out of place speaking, perhaps not addressing a royal properly. Speaking out of place, though, only adults are sent to the office for that. Profession choosing is next year for me, so I won't be chosen for this years requests, if I am requested at all. Soon, the large doorway is looming in front of me. I knock lightly on the wooden entryway.

"Come in," a voice inside says. I open the heavy door.

"Ahh, Tallium, the Lord been expecting you. Please close the door." The door creaked as I closed it tight.

"I am Barthenal, the Lord's head advisor. He will see you shortly, please have a seat." I sat on the short stool near the doorway. Barthenal looked to be around eighty years, mid age for a dragon. He was a shady violet colour, with bronze undertones. He was also very large for a dragon of his age, almost twenty-five feet in height.

A loud slam echoed from the doorway behind Barthenal's desk. The door opened with a startling bang. I noticed a large dragon sitting at another desk in the room before a dust coloured dragon stumbled out.

"Unbelievable!" The brown dragon shouted, lumbering out the door next to my seat. Slamming that door, I could hear him shouting down the hallway.

"The Lord will see you now, Tallium," Barthenal said calmly.

I edged out of my seat into the Lord's office. I tried to keep my wings from trembling as I stopped before Lord Synnian himself. As he was only a few feet taller than Barthenal, Synnian was quite intimidating. A shimmering violet, with blue and silver undertones covered his scales.

"I have an important matter to discuss with you, Tallium. Have a seat," Lord Synnian spoke as the door shut behind me, closing me in.