Chapter 1 - The House Adraels
Don Adraels was born into the venerable House Adraels, a noble lineage said to have been established two centuries ago. Official records mark that as the house's founding—but whispers older than ink tell of a darker origin, buried beneath history's varnish.
Long before the title of Earl was granted, before noble banners flew over the desert stronghold, there were tales of a warlord cloaked in black flame—a figure of terrible power who united desperate tribes through fire and fear. The early House Adraels, some say, did not rise from bloodlines and alliances but from conquest and sacrifice. Forbidden rites, strange flame, and forgotten gods lingered in their past, sealed away when the family turned toward nobility. These are stories told only in hush at the edges of the desert, passed down by the oldest keepers of the Mire.
Earl Dunnel Adraels currently held the reins of the house, a position he shared, in a way, with his two wives: the esteemed Countess Daela Adraels and Lady Lyanna Adraels. Countess Daela had given him three notable children. There was Asdrin Adraels, 21, a young man of exceptional promise, equally at home navigating the intricacies of court politics as he was leading a charge in battle—he was, many said that he would be a good choice to inherit the Earldom. His 19-year-old brother, Medrin Adraels, was a different sort; while not as politically astute, his immense natural strength and martial skill made him a formidable warrior. Rounding out the trio was their sister, Jassa Adraels, at 18, was renowned throughout the Kingdom for a beauty so striking that she was considered one of its most desirable marriage prospects. This captivating allure, it was said, she inherited directly from her mother, Daela, a woman whose hand in marriage had been fiercely contended for by many in her youth, with Earl Dunnel ultimately claiming victory.
Lady Lyanna, the Earl's second wife, brought two more children into the Adraels fold. Her son, Don Adraels, was a true prodigy at just 15. A genuine "jack of all trades," he boasted exceptional swordsmanship, mastering techniques that eluded even much older warriors. Quick-witted and able to remain rational under any pressure, Don was a genius in every sense, with an easy charm that drew people to him. His younger sister, Quina Adraels, 13, was equally remarkable; she showed a clear proficiency in magic, possessed a sharp intellect, and had a beauty that rivaled even her older half-sister, Jassa. She's like a splitting image of her mother Lyanna when she was younger.
While the House of Adraels was renowned for its exceptional swordsmanship, this tradition didn't restrict its younger members from exploring other talents. In fact, house rules encouraged it, allowing individuals like Quina to hone her magical abilities. This progressive outlook was precisely why the noble house consistently produced such rare talents, excelling in a multitude of fields—much like Earl Dunnel's own younger sister, Resiria Adraels, a high-tier mage and a trusted advisor within the palace.
Earl Dunnel shared his lineage with three siblings. His younger brother, Aerick Adraels, held the title of Viscount, managing Taurfort, a sizable town strategically located on the eastern edge of their earldom. But it was his youngest sister who truly carved her own path; spurning any land grants, she devoted herself entirely to the machinations of the Kingdom of Warsenbrenn. This wasn't merely idleness, but a calculated move to secure a powerful vantage point from which to safeguard the house's interests. Indeed, she fought tooth and nail for that crucial position. Beyond them, other Adraels family members received land and titles in recognition of their individual contributions.
Aside from swordsmanship, the House of Adraels is widely feared not just for its formidable cavalry, but for its chilling mastery of black flames. Their elite Black Horned Lion Cavalry units are notorious across the land for their devastating effectiveness. These forces—comprising the Black Swordsmen Cavalry, Black Mounted Archers, Black Spearmen Cavalry, and the nimble Black Light Cavalry—are all experts in wielding black flames, a destructive power that leaves enemies burn to dust made others terrified.
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In the grand hall..
Earl Dunnel presided over his court from a grand throne, wide enough for three, with his wives, Daela and Lyanna, seated intimately beside him. The air was thick with the weight of a pressing court discussion. A swift messenger eagle had arrived the previous night from Thornshell City, carrying an urgent dispatch: an envoy from the House of Thornf was en route, bearing news of critical importance regarding the burgeoning war in the southern territories. This impending visit layered new urgency atop already grave tidings. Just recently, word had reached the Earl of the crushing defeat of the House of Hailch by the House of Tidor. Their leader, Earl Ekarvel Tidor, was a man whose ambition knew no bounds, openly dreaming of conquering the entire region to elevate himself to Duke, and he hadn't hesitated to conjure false pretenses to wage war against Earl Dornell Hailch.
After several days, the envoy's arrival was heralded. Earl Dunnel's progeny—Asdrin, Medrin, Jassa, Don, and Quina—waited in the hall. The court official's voice cut through the quiet, announcing the envoy and bidding them enter. All eyes turned as a woman of extraordinary beauty appeared, advancing with elegant strides toward the throne, her two escorts trailing behind. Don found himself utterly spellbound. Her beauty struck him, leaving him breathless and stirring an unidentifiable emotion deep in his chest.
Reaching the Earl, she performed a graceful bow. "Greetings, Lord Earl Dunnel," she began, her voice clear. "I am Caria Thornf, the second daughter of Lord Earl Jhesarwan Thornf from the House of Thornf. Have you been well, Lord Dunnel?" Earl Dunnel's surprise was evident; he hadn't expected to see Earl Jhesarwan's second daughter. "I have been well," he replied, "though I'm surprised to see you here. You were just a small child when we last met. Is your father well?" Caria's expression turned serious. "Father is faring well, but the pressing matter regarding the House of Tidor's actions is giving him sleepless nights."
Earl Dunnel instantly recognized the young Caria, having met her a decade ago at the Earls' gathering. His wives, Daela and Lyanna, were just as taken aback by her striking beauty. As the Earl and Caria exchanged pleasantries, Lyanna's gaze flickered to her son, Don, noticing his awestruck expression. She subtly nudged Daela, silently signaling her to look at Don, utterly mesmerized by Caria. A knowing grin passed between the two women as they exchanged glances, plans already beginning to form in their eyes.