Chapter 50: Tales of yesteryear
Mordred, hitherto absorbed in his own thoughts, raised his head slightly, listening attentively.
The old man continued, his husky voice echoing softly between the stones:
- "We weren’t always chained under the yoke of the dragons. Long, long ago, there were men capable of competing with them, of fighting on equal terms against their tyranny."
A murmur ran through the group of slaves. Many found these words hard to believe, having known nothing but submission and humiliation all their lives.
- "The chronicles speak of human warriors who trod the battlefields with frightening power. They wielded swords capable of slicing through the hardest scales, spears capable of piercing the hearts of dragons, and some..." He paused, looking around cautiously, before continuing in a lower voice. "Some even mastered the very essence of dragons. Not as slaves, no... but as equals."
Mordred felt a shiver run down his spine.
- "Among them, there were legends."
All eyes were on him now. Even the most skeptical were listening.
- "They say a man, a legendary warrior, once stood up to the Dragon King himself. Not as a servant. Not as prey. But as a true adversary."
A heavy silence fell over the assembly.
- "The battle lasted three days and three nights. The sky was torn apart by flames and thunder. The man stood up to the Dragon King, and every blow he struck shook the earth. He had neither wings nor scales. Only his sword and his unshakable will."