ASH AND BONE

[Azure]

It's by a swarm of blackbirds that the message finds itself delivered unto lower lands, the incessant ring of their chirping alerting by-treaders and citizenry of Esshar alike of the raining parchments they bear.

The residences they abrasively bombard the most with messages are that of Aries Grace and Sigurd Cresentis. It remits to the ethos of the Fireblooded, forged of yore and in times where the dragons were truly held to esteem; deeming that Dragonlords may only lose their position if taken from them in single combat against their ilk, or they were to willingly resign to it.

The challenger is Ferris Naysien, Dragoon of the Ebonblooded. A man of undeniable piety and purity of dragonblood. The tone of the message, though solemn, is denigrating.

"Harken to mine word, cowards. Humes.

It's by your supposed ethos that I beckon you unto battle. A creed that even I, of neighboring faith, know to abide by better than you both combined.

You, who would tell pray for glory and victory under the red god's wing - yet make of yourselves puny boot kissers. You, who would disrupt the feast of a dragon, then flee... running to the Queen's teat for aid in destroying the legacy the Coat once sought to preserve.

You, who would ward and touch elbows with Nyx worship; who saw of our mountain, not a frigid wasteland where Dragons slumber and war sports are enacted, but a playground to hold hands in; who braved not the embers barefooted once.

I hereby invoke the rites of Fire and Blood, challenging you both to single combat. Should I lose, my freedom and claim are forfeit. Were I to win, I'd see you both displaced, and the title of Dragonlord of the Coat bestowed upon me. We meet when the first Sun of the forthcoming year falls, at the throat of your red temple.

Accept this, if you want to prove that there's any fire left in your blood. That your heart still beats with it.
Ignore it, and know that you'll have proven me right. Resigned your land to the march of the black wyrm.

Tis your sole chance."

- DRAGOON Ferris Naysien.

[9mmortal]

"A reply makes its way from the residence of Aries Grace"

"Come try me kid. Do ya want me t' pay for yer medical bills after?"