Thousands of warriors were trained year after year and all of them excelled in the art of war. On a normal day you would see hundreds of students with silky clothes, most of them tattered due to the intensive training.
In some of the buildings it was easy to identify outsiders, such as merchants and nobles looking to hire fighters. The order strived for neutrality which is why it didn’t take sides in political battles, but the students were not affected by this rule, which meant that any student could join any army of their choosing.
The order rested on the peak of an enormous mountain range known as “Freekan”, the imposing construction consisted of 6 main buildings.
- The Dragon’s Head: A bright pearled Tower where the headmaster resided. The headmaster was rarely seen outside. Not even during the festivities that were held 4 times a year at the beginning of each season.
- The Dragon’s Nest: This was the main hall that connected all buildings, it included the students' living quarters, kitchens, and many more buildings.
- The Dragon’s Claw Tower: This was known as the armory, as all the weapons of the Order used by both students and masters were forged and maintained here. Not only that, all objects that were made of any metal would need to be stored there. As anyone in the order was prohibited from carrying any metal object outside training hours.
- The Dragon’s Tail Tower: The biggest building by far, was the place where the Masters and Grandmasters lived and trained. As their skills greatly surpassed students' level, they had to be separated to prevent any accidents.
- The Dragon’s Wing: This was the building that had the most differences, as this was the only place in which any outsider could arrive. In this building most of the administrative stuff happened. An organization with more than a thousand members and hundreds of years of antiquity required a well structured management.
- The Dragon’s Shrine: Lastly, this building was built in the furthest place from the Order, it limited with the western forest. The shrine was a place of quiet, where anyone from the Order could go to meditate. It was spacious and allowed more than a thousand people at the same time.
Kirin
You can join as a student here, obviously you would need to take the test but-
Drazel
There is no point anymore, why fight? for what? everything is lost...
Kirin
Not everything, you are still alive, and as long as you live, your father's legacy lives, you can-
Drazel
Just let me be Kirin, I appreciate your help and all you have done, but there is no point
Kirin
I don't think that will be the case, but if it is time you need, I will give it to you.
You can stay in the order, not as a student but as a visitor
For more than a year Drazel had been a freeloader, if someone were to see him now, they would see but a shadow of who he once was, there was no trace of his fighting spirit, with the death of most of his family, he now wandered the forests just passing time, trying to forget the life he once had.
His usual routine consisted of going to the closest part of the forest and fish, he enjoyed bathing in the river and walking around nature but what he did the most was watching the training. He wasn't exactly sure why he was drawn to the training sessions, all those moves seemed as natural as breathing to him, there was a warm familiarity that he couldn't quite place.
The order focused mostly in the way of the spear, although they also trained hand to hand combat and the occasional sword skill.
During this time, he interacted mostly with the people from the Dragon’s wing. Merchants, squires and people from the order would engage in conversation with him. His preferred topics were about the status of the world. Stories of war…
A traveling merchant that had sold a book that read in the paste “Famous Knights of Kanem Magna”
Merchant
They said that the army of Bradavia would soon move against Northia, which could make it difficult to move to the west.
Drazel
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Would the order pick a side in the battle?
Merchant
The order would participate in battle, as many lords desire the White Dragon’s skills.
Drazel
Would the order side with Bradavia? - asked the young boy in awe
Merchant
I don’t think so, more than likely they would side with Kanem, after all, this is their land. It is said that Kanem Magna has been undefeated due to the White Dragon Order and the Black Blade Company.
Drazel
Black Blade?
Merchant
The best sword masters in the east, I thought you would know them, with you being a student here
Drazel
I’m not a student…yet
Stories of adventure…
An old adventurer that was resting before going to Varan for supplies.
Adventurer
And the wyvern was as big as a house! There were twelve of us, and still the beast fought for an entire day. Only four of us returned to reclaim the gold from the marquess.
Drazel
Wow. I have only read about them, what is a Wyvern like?
Adventurer
Well, it’s like a dragon, but smaller
Drazel
…well that is underwhelming
Adventurer
Underwhelming?!…Their teeth are as big as knives! and their wings can cover the sky! They have the strength of ten bulls and for their size, they can move as fast as a horse
Drazel
They sound like quite a sight
Adventurer
Indeed they are, I thought you knew about them. The Dragon is the symbol of your order, it is said that your founder was able to ride a Dragon
Drazel
…I’m not a student in the order…yet
Stories of fame…
A group of traveling merchants talking at a table while drinking fire water.
Cloth Merchant
I met him once, the Phantom Blade of Alice. He was as tall as that door, no even bigger, around 2 meters tall. He didn’t make a sound when he walked, and he was carrying an enormous bag on his shoulders. You know what was in the bag?
Everyone shakes their head in awe.
Cloth Merchant
The bounties of more than 30 thieves from the Syndicate, he alone felled the entire House of Rania. It’s true I tell you!
Metal Merchant
Well, that is nothing I have seen the Crimson Princess. Yes, that one, and believe me, she is nastier than the rumors say
Potions Merchant
That crimson princess or whatever can’t hold a candle to the Sage
Metal Merchant
Oh come one, the sage is a myth for child’s bedtime
Potions Merchant
You fool! The Sage is real, and he might help someone but always asks for something in return, have you heard of the Frontier Town?
Cloth Merchant
That was him?
Potions Merchant
Well, I’m not sure, but he was seen there
Weapons Merchant
All of those names are good, but no one is as strong as The Holy Sword
Murmurs began, but everyone agreed
Potions Merchant
Well, he was able to fell the Dragon of Karnak alone…
Metal Merchant
Yes, he is the commander of the king’s guard and at such a young age
Finally Drazel talked without realizing:
Drazel
The Spear King is stronger than the Holy Sword!
Everyone laughed while he turned red.
Cloth Merchant
Sure boy! Well…are you a fan of the Spear King? He used to train here, well if someone could beat the Holy Sword it has to be a student of the White Dragon Order, maybe you could be as great as both of them, keep on training, boy!
This time he didn’t reply, just nodded. He wanted to join the order. He would join the order.