A New Beginning

*Leon and his followers traveled for 7 days and 7 nights, but on the morning of the 8th they finally saw the city of Yarden. This was the great city of the dwarves founded by the dwarven King Bron and recently passed to his son Thron, Leon and his people approached the city and were questioned by the guards, when Leon told them who he was they simply laughed but when he presented his ring they immediately stared at each other in silence then took Leon and Leon only to the king, Derrick argued with this but Leon told him to stay with the group and get them inside the walls, Derrick still didn't like it but didn't argue with his new king.*

*Leon was escorted to the throne room where the new King Thron was waiting. King Thron was 40 years old which was still young for a dwarf but he was a strong and wise ruler, his hair was black and his beard was full, he stood 4'5 which made him taller then your average dwarf but still short by human standards, but no human dared to say that in his presence for fear of being broken in half. Leon bowed before the dwarven king, Leon was new to this but he could tell the king was sizing him up, checking his worth. * "King Thron, thank you for seeing me on such short notice." *The dwarven king nodded* "It is my pleasure Leon, as long as you are who you say you are of course, this is indeed the royal ring of Lorden, any dwarf worth his beard would recognize it, but my question is where you got it."

*Leon told the king everything that happened up until this point, the dwarven king sat in silence for a moment as if processing his story, looking for holes. * "I believe you Leon, you look like your father, but let's hope you do not act like your father. King Bron was close friends with King Richard, so my old man would rise from the dead and smite me if I didn't help Lorden's last remaining heir, your people are free to stay in the castle, we have more then enough room and they will be taken care of, you have my word." *Leon bowed low and smiled. * "Thank you King Thron, I am in your debt." *Thron shook his head. * "No need boy, in exchange for my help I would ask for you to tell me your plan."

*Leon thought for a while. * "I must rebuild the kingdom of Lorden." *Thron raised an eyebrow then let out a loud laugh. * "A few days as king and you want to take on a dragon? I like you already kid but that's impossible, you have what 1 or 2 soldiers? What you speak of takes thousands maybe even tens of thousands, not to mention years of battle experience, and unless my eyes deceive me you are barley a man." *Leon clenches his fists. * "It's true that I have little experience and my kingdom is no more then a few kind hearted people….But I need to avenge my family, I may not have known them but I cannot stomach the thought of having a dragon roost on there graves." *The dwarven king widens his eyes slightly as if he sees something odd, and he did. Just then Leon started to glow ever so slightly but the dwarf had keen eyes, it was the aura of a leader. Just then Thron stood from his throne and walked towards the young human king. * "Alright boy, I will help you, I will grant you land on the edge of my kingdoms borders, the land is rich and ready to farm, unfortunately my people are not very good at these things so I will count on you to get them up and running, of course I will expect a share of the food when it is ready." *The dwarven king smiled wide as Leon stood up and shook his hand* "You are a great man Thron, and I know your father is proud."

*After a few days of rest Leon and his people were led to the edge of the dwarven border and were shown a wide-open field, the grass was green and soft perfect for farming. The dwarves helped Leon's people build houses for everyone using wood as base material from the forest nearby, a few weeks later the people had places to live and the beginnings of a farming village was made. The dwarven king paid them a visit to see how there progress was going. * "Thron, it's so good to see you." *Leon gave the dwarf king a hug which Thron smiled at and reciprocated. * "It's good to see you to Leon, I see things are going well." *Leon nodded and gave Thron a tour of the new village. * "The first seeds are being planted and the first harvest should be ready in a few months." *As Leon turned to Thron he saw a large hammer coming towards him, he quickly dodged and his eyes went wide. * "What was that for??" *Thron kept swinging. * "Your town is underway boy, now it is time to whip you into shape." *Thron smiled and Leon drew his blade and begun sparing with the dwarven king, soon they were both laughing and enjoying themselves.

*Things continued this way for a few months, 6 to be exact, the first harvest went wonderfully and winter was arriving soon, the town had grown in size and new citizens had arrived as well, Leon's group of refugees had turned into a village of proud and happy people. But the town was not the only thing that grew, Leon trained everyday with the dwarven king, his body was now sculpted like a warriors and he even grew an extra 2 inches, his hair was a bit longer now and he looked more mature, he settled nicely into his role as leader as if something inside him had awoken, Thron even gave Leon a set of Iron armor to wear which made him look even more kingly. *

"I'm leaving mother, are you sure you'll be alright?" *Leon's mother had come down with a mysterious disease 2 weeks ago, she has been bedridden and weak. * "Yes sweetheart, don't worry about me, I'm a strong woman." *She smiled at her boy and stroked his cheek. Leon held her hand and kissed it softly before standing and walking out, waiting for him was a woman, a new addition to the town, her name was Vivian, she stood 5'4 and had long black hair, her voice was like an angels, sweet and calming, her body was curvy and her skin was white like snow, she worked as an herbalist and cared for Leon's mother.* "Don't worry Leon, I have gathered some herbs from the forest and made a potion which should have your mother feeling better in a few weeks." *She smiled softly at him to which Leon nodded. * "Thank you Vivian, I owe you one, my mother is the only family I have left, without her I would be lost." *Vivian gently took Leon's hand, her skin was soft like silk. * "I know Leon, and don't worry, it's the least I could do, you've done so much for me and the people of New Lorden." *She kissed his cheek and walked into his mother's room. *

*Leon was on his way to a town meeting in the newly built meeting hall, he was to meet Derrick and Thron there. As he walked through town people smiled and waved at him, the town was doing well under his leadership and with the aid of the dwarven king, before he could reach the meeting hall however Leon was stopped by an old friend. * "Leon." *Brandon walked up to Leon and gave him a hug. * "I know you have a meeting but I wanted to see you for a second, we don't talk like we use to." *In the 6 months of the towns lifespan Brandon had recovered from his wounds given to him by the orc warrior, unfortunately he permanently lost 2 ribs and now suffered from breathing problems, but that didn't stop him, Brandon now led the towns border patrol, he kept the town safe and made sure things ran smoothly. *

"How have you been Brandon?" *Brandon shrugged. * "As good as you'd expect, the wound gives me trouble now and again but its nothing I can't handle, and I also needed to talk to you about the border patrol. I need some more warriors, the monsters have been increasing lately, we can handle them for now but we'll be overrun soon." *Leon sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. * "Ok, I'll talk to Derrick and see what we can do." *Brandon smiles and salutes playfully. * "Thank you oh mighty king." *They both chuckle and hug before going there separate ways*

*Leon finally arrived at the meeting hall and was escorted inside by two soldiers to his seat where Thron and Derrick were waiting. * "Sorry I'm late guys." *Derrick chuckled. Derrick has completely healed from his wounds and is now Leon's personal retainer* "Don't worry Leon, we're use to it. But anyway, down to business, the harvest was good enough that we should last through the oncoming winter along with our hunters help." *Leon nodded as he turned to Thron. * "The tools you ordered are done and should be here tomorrow or the next day." *Leon smiles* "Very good, however I have some bad news, I ran into Brandon on the way here, he said that he needs more men for the border patrol, the monsters have been growing in number and aggressiveness." *Derrick sighs* "Leon we can't spare anymore men, most are put towards running the farms and taking care of the animals, not to mention hunting which is now more important then ever." "I know I know, but none of that matters if we are overrun by monsters and the town is destroyed, these people have been through a lot, I'm not putting them through that again."

*The three men were silent as they thought of a solution, Derrick looked up and took a deep breath* "We could hire mercenaries, I am not to fond of there kind but as long as they're paid well they should take care of our problem." "That is a good idea Derrick but we don't have the money for that." *Thron smiled* "Don't worry boy, I'll take care of the payment, after all my lands aren't far from here, I can't exactly allow those beasts to run amok now can I?" *Leon bows his head slightly* "So then it's decided, I will leave the hiring to you Derrick, I trust your judgment." *Derrick stands and bows then leaves. Leon and Thron stand and exchange hugs then walk out themselves, Leon sees him off then goes up to the watchtower, Brandon was there looking out over the town*

"You know, if you told me a year ago that you would be running a town a successful town at that I would probably laugh my ass off." *Leon hits Brandon's arm playfully and they both laugh* "But seriously Leon, you've done a great job, and I haven't properly thanked you for saving me and my family." *Leon smiled* "Brandon you would have done the same, no need for thanks." *They both sat there and watched over the people when they heard a loud howl, Leon looked over at the direction of the forest and seen figures coming out. "Brandon what the hell are those?" *Brandon uses his looking glass and then slowly turns to Leon* "Goblin wolf riders."