Dragonic lineage

Pointing to the map that showed the family's territory, he said firmly:

"Our family is located in the north of the kingdom, surrounded by the mountains to the north, which isolate us, and by the Eternal Forest to the east, full of monsters. Our only routes of action are in the west and south. We don't have time to gather the people of the villages. Let's use what we have here: 120 warriors, 40 archers and 6 knights."

He looked at his knights and continued:

"I'm going to leave 4 knights with 60 warriors hidden near the fort. When the time comes, I'll give the signal to attack. Did everyone understand?"

"Yes, sir!" They answered in unison.

Leaving the main hall, Drake went to his father's office. There, he knew, his destiny would be traced. When he entered, he found the room organized, full of books. Despite being humble nobles, his family has always valued education. Sitting in the main chair, he began to search his father's belongings, in search of something that could help.

Among the documents, a diary caught his attention. Hesitant, he thought:

"He wouldn't mind if I read this now, right?"

When he opened the diary and started reading, his face changed drastically.

'My son, since he was little, shows signs of our lineage. Among all, he is the one who is most likely to inherit the power of our family. Although we have fallen into disgrace, I know that, with Drake's blood, we can return to what we once were one day.'

'My father gave me this ring, saying that when the right generation arrived, I should give it to him. Inside it is all the heritage of our lineage. But only those who have the blood of our ancestors can activate it. I hope the time to deliver it to Drake comes soon.'

"That explains so much...", Drake thought, impressed.

On the continent of Eryndor, most people had black or brown hair, with rare color changes, only in extremely powerful lineages. The Page family, on the verge of extinction, had never been questioned about this, because no one imagined that they had pure blood. But there were cases of powerful lineages spreading in distant lands. Drake, with his 6 feet and 5 inches, was an exception, surpassing the average height of the men in his family.

When he finished the diary, Drake looked at a drawer and opened it. There, he found a mysterious ring, all black with red edges. When he put it on, he began to feel his forces vanish, as if the ring itself was draining his energy.

"What is that?!" He shouted, desperate, trying to take off the ring, but it seemed stuck to his hand. With his strength running out, he fainted.

When he woke up, he was still in his father's office. The ring remained on his finger.

"I wonder... is it the storage ring?" Drake thought, trying to use his knight's power. At the same moment, the ring shone, revealing the content inside: draconic techniques and writings.

Among them, the Draconic Cultivation Technique for Knight: "Heart of Eternal Scales", which would allow Drake to cultivate the essence of the scales of ancient dragons, making his body as resistant as the most powerful armors.

"This is invaluable...", Drake murmured. "With that, I can even challenge the king, let alone the neighboring barons."

There was still another parchment inside the ring. Drake opened it and read:

'To those who inherit the legacy of our former lineage, know that the blood of the Page family carries the right to govern. Long before the fall of the First Empire, the Pages were the true rulers of Eryndor, sitting on the throne blessed by the ancestral dragons. The crown, lost in time and in the shadows of betrayal, still cries out for its legitimate heir.'

'Whoever receives this inheritance carries the duty to restore the throne that rightfully belongs to the Pages. The one who rises must gather the 200 kingdoms and restore the ancient kingdom of Drakenmoor, as it was prophesied.'

Drake felt the weight of the revelation. His family, humble and distant from power, was actually the legitimate heir of Eryndor.

"How did we fall so deep?!" He thought. "But that doesn't matter now. I won't give up just because we're in disgrace. My ancestors gave me the necessary power to regain what is ours. And, on top of everything... I have the blood of a dragon in my veins."

"Thank you, ancestors, for this chance. I swear I will honor my family and bring back the glory of the Pages! Even if it costs me my life."

Getting up with renewed determination, Drake whispered:

"Now that I inherited this power, my plans have changed. If I dominate at least a part of what's here, defeating the Pantaleon will be just the beginning."