Book II Challenge V Prelude: Huntress Lodge

[ZCerberus]

In the mountains of Mitgardia

It was bitingly cold in the mountains of Mitgardia.  Every breath burned Anzar’s lungs as he pulled his tired feet up the mountain slope.  His mind was split between two equally challenging thoughts- the fear of Raavage’s success and seeing her again.

“I’m no Dragon Lord,” thought Anzar to himself.  And he was right.  To be a Dragon Master Lord, you needed dragons, and since his defeat at the hands of the Zugal at Dragon Keep, his dragon had fled.  With no dragon he could never challenge his brother for control of the Dragon Masters.  How could he lead his people against the threat that was Raavage and the Helm if he didn’t even have Lordship over his own broken keep?

Anzar peered back at his broken band of followers.  He had his father’s killer, the reincarnated Avalonian Lord, Sir Burress, in cuffs, the black mage, Anfil, and a few Dragon Master warriors loyal enough to follow him.  “Loyal,” thought Anzar, “hardly.”  These men weren’t here out of loyalty to him, they were here because they hated his brother.  He saw the faces of men who his brother had cheated out of position, home and even wife and family.  These weren’t the only men Tanzar had betrayed, but they were the only ones brave enough to leave Drake’s Den, Tanzar’s stronghold, to help the only hope the Dragon Master’s had at freeing themselves from Tanzar’s tyrannical reign.  Tradition is what kept the oppressive yolk around his people’s necks, they could never pledge their swords to a Dragon Master with no dragons.

The solution was simple, get a dragon, challenge his brother, retake the throne, unite his people against Raavage. 

This plan is what led Anzar into the Mitgardian mountains.  He must seek Erissa, the Mitgardian princess once betrothed to his brother, and the best dragon tracker in all of Historica.  His mind flashed back to her.  To the girl who had been promised to his brother from birth, the princess who would unite the Dragon Masters with the Chorian Clan, the woman who fell in love with Anzar and refused to marry his brother, the love Anzar denied to save his family the embarrassment.  How would she react?  It had been years since the night she came to him, confessed her love and begged Anzar to leave with her, to escape together to the Mitgardian hills and live free as a new family, one formed in love and choice, not duty, obligation and old traditions.  Every bit of Anzar wished to leave with her, but he simply could not escape the thought of his father’s disappointment or the fear of his father’s retribution.  Anzar knew his father well.  His vengeance would not be swift.  It would be calculated and slow.  He knew the day his vigilance finally slipped would be the day his father’s assassins would pounce.  They would not kill him.  They would torture Erissa and his new family and they would make Anzar watch.

A creek in the door drew Anzar’s eyes to the entrance to the Huntress’s Lodge. 

Erissa: “And so comes yet another Dragon Master Lord to honor me with his company.”

Her annoyance was transparent, yet Anzar thought he caught a small smile, a glimmer in her eyes that let him know she was pleased to see him.

Anzar tried to return the smile, but all he could muster was a sad grimace.  His mind quickly moved from seeing her back to the mission.  “Another Lord?” thought Anzar.  Whatever did she mean?  Had Tanzar already turned her against him?  Perhaps Raavage had found his way here as well.  As quickly as the mission came to mind it faded and he again stood in front of the love he had no choice but to deny. Emotions flooded Anzar and frozen him in his snow covered tracks.  He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was an fiercely audible sigh. 

Erissa: “Your silence says more than an apology or excuse ever could.  It took me years to figure out why you wouldn’t love me.  Finally I realized it was because you did.”

Anzar nodded.  A wave of relief flooded over him as his guilt over their relationship faded and his mind galvanized on the mission.

Anzar: “Another Dragon Master Lord?”

Erissa: “Yes… your uncle, Braggen, he passed through just yesterday.”

Anzar was surprised.  Braggen had long been exiled from the Dragon Masters, a move made by his father to ensure Tanzar had the only claim to the Dragon Master throne.  What’s more, Braggen had been stripped of all titles and possessed no dragons.  Erissa would know better than to call Braggen a Lord.

Anzar: “Braggen is no Lord Erissa, and perhaps you have received word that I am no Lord either.”

Erissa: “So your uncle said.  But he was not here to see me.  He was here to call on you.”

Anzar: “Me?  What would Braggen want of me?”

Erissa: “He said he knew you’d come by seeking a dragon.  He brought with him a Wyvern Welp.  He told me it was yours if you came to get it at his stronghold in the swamplands.”

Puzzled by the offer Anzar immediately blurted out the only thought that made any sense.

Anzar: “A trap?”

Erissa: “I am not sure.  I sense sincerity to his desire to see you.  Besides, it is your only chance at dragon, the Spire agents have been coming the hills for weeks scaring any flocks south.  If you want your revenge, you must go to him.”

The Dragon Master stared at Erissa, and she at him.  How much time had passed, and how little their emotions had changed.  There was no hesitation in his words or lack of clarity in his mind this time.

Anzar: “I will go to see Braggen, but from this moment on, I am not leaving without you.”

[Kai NRG]

Fantastic build ZC, as always - the snow is well done and the building looks really good with the balconies and corner stonework!  I only wish we could see a few more angles!

[TheLordOfBricks]

Nice job! I love it! My only problem would have to be the snow has no slopes, but you still got a pretty good look to it without slopes... Overall, great build! Keep it up!

[zoth33]

This is great.  I love the different roof angles and the stone and wood work really well together.  The landscaping is nicely done.  I like how you have the trees leaning.  The melting snow is neat.  Great job.

[MaasEffekt]

Very nice, as always! Congrats! But how those flowers on the balconies, and tower will survive this cold weather? Are those some kind of special mitgardian flowers?

[The Maestro]

Stunning build, the shape of the house is beautiful and really feels Mitgardian. I love all the ornate detail.

[soccerkid6]

This is one of my favorite builds from you, and it's great to finally see it posted here! Every time I look at it, I can't help but be inspired The rocky landscape and winding path complement the building beautifully

Fun to see the House of Chorian further involved in the storyline as well

[TitusV]

I had seenand admired this build multiple times on your Flickr, but to see it with a story makes it only better. Awesome job!  

[Blufiji]

I really enjoy your style of building Z, it's got a grace and beauty all of it's own. 

[en_zoo]

ahh I remember seeing this - really nice architecture throughout, lovely landscape and awesome setting with the story!

[Umbra-Manis]

Awesome lodge Z, and the story was a great read!

[Slegengr]

Perfectly Mitgardian, Z!

The structure is nicely built and is definitely Mitgardian in style!  The snow on the roof is a nice touch.  Beautiful and realistic landscaping and foliage!  The snow is very nice.  The bending 2x2 trunks on the trees make them quite realistic!

The story is developing quite nicely!

[Garmadon]

Excellent build, ZC, the landscaping and winding path are great, but the lodge itself definitely steals the show!  Superb combination of wood and stonework, and the flowers in the windows add the perfect dash of color!  Excellent architecture and great colors and shape on the house - dark brown is just about always bound to look great!

Intriguing story as well, looking forward to the challenge! 

[Exetrius]

Beautiful Mitguardian architecture and yet another nicely polished facet of all the lore involved with the Resistance!