mobilizing the army

Drake watched his family incredulously, wide eyes, exchanging glances without knowing how to process what they had just discovered.

"Now that everyone knows the truth, it's time to give them the techniques"

He said, distributing parchments to his relatives.

In this world, there were two main classes: knights and magicians. The knights, like Drake, used the energy of their blood and lineage to release their power, while the magicians manipulated the energy of the surrounding environment. However, some unique professions also drew attention, such as rune breeders. These masters could strengthen knights, increasing their power by up to thirty percent in rare cases, although the increase was usually between ten and fifteen percent.

"Unfortunately, our family still doesn't have rune breeders or magicians. But this won't last long. With our heritage, only heaven is the limit," Drake thought with a confident smile.

He spoke seriously.

" Uncle, I'll leave the awakening of our family in your hands. I want everyone ready when our enemy arrives. Let's surprise them."

His uncle, with firm eyes and a glow of determination, replied.

"The death of your father will not be in vain, Drake. You can trust me."

The energy in the room has changed. Everyone left anxious, ready for what was to come. Drake, however, stayed to evaluate his new strength.

"It can't be..."

He murmured as he tested his skills.

"With just this awakening, I've already reached the peak of a junior rider. I'm one step away from becoming an intermediate knight."

"I won't wait for them to come to us. Let's attack them first. With my strength and that of our knights, defeating Baron Pantaleão will not be difficult."

Drake got ready quickly and went to the barracks without informing his family, who was immersed in the awakening of his lineage. Arriving there, he called his subordinates for a meeting.

"Men, I'm not going to roll. Our family recovered part of their inheritance, and with that, I completed my awakening."

The knights were stunned, unable to hide the surprise. They knew how much it meant.

Galen, one of the young knights, said.

"That's wonderful, sir! The gods are favoring our home!"

"With this inheritance, our family will overcome this crisis!"

Said another knight, with enthusiasm.

Drake continued.

"With the awakening, I overcame the bottlenecks and I'm about to become an intermediate rider. It's the perfect time to attack while they think we're desperate."

The pressure in the room increased with each word. The knights felt the blood running faster, a growing fire in their hearts. Maybe it was the effect of the draconic lineage already showing its first signs.

At the end of the meeting, the knights mobilized the army. At nightfall, the troops were ready for the first battle that would change the fate of the Page family.

"Lord, our warriors are ready for your orders!"

Said Drystan, the most experienced knight and captain of the army.

"Good job, Drystan"

He then turned to his men and, with a voice full of emotion, declared.

"Warriors of our family! For a long time these neighbors have been attacking us, burning our merchants and, as you know, killed my father."

The room was silent, the air heavy with the weight of his words.

"They want to take our lands, destroy what we love. But I, as your lord, will lead them to end these invaders once and for all! Let's show them what it's like to feel fear!"

A battle cry echoed among the knights, and the army left the city under the applause of the residents, morality in the heights. The Page family's land, with its dense forests and few plains, offered a natural advantage for defense, complicating any invasion attempt.

In another part of the territory...

Baron Pantaleão was preparing with his entourage. A banner with a golden panther shuttered in the wind.

"YOU CAN ONLY BE JOKING!"

"How did they lose four knights to overthrow their patriarch? This will get in the way of my plans..."

"My lord... I can explain, the baron we attacked had a powerful lineage, even without having awakened it. He was twice as strong as a normal intermediate junior rider" justified one of the knights, sweating with fear.

The baron mocked: "You are useless. What would they do without me?"

"By calculation, we should arrive at their fort tomorrow, with our current speed, sir! "

Another knight quickly informed the baron.

"But I have a concern," the knight hesitated.

"Hmm, proceed"

"Can't the Pages try to ambush us on the way, in their despair?"

"Sense! They barely have enough knights. And what's the use of a powerful lineage if it hasn't been awakened?"

The baron laughed, with disdain.

Almost all noble families have their lineages awakened, placing them on top of the pyramid of this world of blood and wars, thus making them mocking those who do not have it, few families lost their inheritance or had some problem in awakening. Little did he know that the true strength of the draconic lineage was about to be revealed.