1 Preparation for the Hunt

The sun rose upon the walls of Zela city. It was two days since the cohort come to the city. Some people, seeing proper armed soldiers with imperial emblems on their shields, started to have hope that fate of the city and entire region may change. After all their were properly trained warriors and not city militia with outdated weapons, or unorganized peasant band. Although attempts to kill the malicious dragon Voland were made earlier and had ended badly, those who had tried this were not forces of the "Invincible army"! so maybe there was a chance?

Other citizens found it pathetic. How a few hundred men were gonna to defeat enemy who was able to destroy cities with his breath? And how were they gonna to fight with him in mountains where they couldn't even use their numerical advantage? Oh and the dragon was able to fly and they...probably not.

While supporters of the army were very loudly and were offering many gifts to the imperial forces skeptics remained silence. Soldiers were after all known to be very cruel and savage for those who dear to oppose them. Even if the cohort was no match for the dragon they would have no problem with pacifying the city. Especially now when city militia was made of callow youngsters and elderly(it happened that the previous militia's forces were wiped out by the dragon). In this situation no one was eager to spoke against the newcomers.

This division between citizens was especially apparent in Kresus house in upper class district of the city.

-"Father how can you still argue? We finally have chance to liberate ourselves from this horror!"-told young muscular man with short hair and blue eyes.

-"You are too naive Kresus. If Imperium really wanted to help us they would send some centuries of Imperial guard and the sages to support them with their magic"

-"Don't be so conservative father only backward call the power of sages magic. You should know that this in fact The Might Of The Word. But anyway if you think that the Imperium is have no interest in helping us why would they send anyone for help? And if they did that mean that they care and that those forces are appropriate to the strength of the enemy. After all they would not send their troops to certain death, wouldn't they?"

-"And they wouldn't! this troops are lead by a young knight, too young for such a high rank. It is obvious that his family used their influence so he can be in command of a cohort. They probably send him to place about which they heard that it has a problem. They did not made a proper investigation and are counting on easy victory so their family should get more prestige. Or maybe he is the youngest of his family and his father is dying. So His brothers under the pretext of gaining prestige send him to certain death to exclude him from inheritance!"

The old man wanted to say something more but suddenly his speech was disturbed by knocking to the door.

-"I'm not done with you yet Kresus."-and then he gave an order to his servant in a different language

-"Anahid! open the door."

A rather short young girl with long black hair and brown eyes moved it direction of the door. She was just a servant with a peasant background so she didn't spoke in "coine" the language used by upper class. The only tongue she knew was a local language. She never understood what the old master and his family talk about while they were talking to each other. Yet this day she could sens an anger in their voices. The more worrying it was for her because she was very thankful to this family. After all they took care of her after her village was burned to the ground. If master Kresus would not have convinced his parent to take her under family protection she would be long gone by now. Other citizens wanted to make her an offering to the dragon. She had no friends nor her family back then no one was eager to help her, she was a perfect candidate. But then Kresus of Lusin house and his kin's influence saved her. But this came with a price for them. People of the Zela was outraged that they had to sacrifice their daughters but spear a pitiful orphan. So city council decided that from then onward Kresus and his father will deliver the prays. This pacify the unrest for a while because everyone counted that once upon a time they will be swallowed by the dragon too(each time they went to fulfill their duty bets were made if they will come back ). And so the arguments between those who did so much for her were heart-breaking

Anahid came to the door and opened them. A glow of sun blinded everyone in the room. After a couple of moments they notice a young man who was standing there. He was a well-build tall brunet with curly hair and blue eyes. He wear a pair of sandals, greaves and chain-mail that cover upper parts of his body and ended below his knee. He had a short sword that was attached to his leather belt, and shiny helmet on his head. Over all of this he wear a green wool cloak with imperial emblem broidered into it. He appears to be a commander of the cohort.