Game of Serfs

It was supposed to be a fun break while school was out for the semester. A chance meeting between Benjamin Draig and Martin "Marty" Ambrose suggests the potential for a great friendship. Both were with different groups of friends just outside of Moab, both on their way to hike through the mountains. But then things went horribly wrong. It's all Benjamin and Marty can do to stay alive when the earth opens beneath their feet, and they're swallowed by the mountain. As a fire-spewing monster emerges and spreads its wings to blot out the sky, Benjamin and Marty learn that the comfortable illusion of the world they knew is gone. Everything has changed. Depending on the other for every second of their survival, they reach what looks like safety . . . then their entire world comes undone. As the titanic monster takes to the sky, leaving behind the lair that has lain buried for millennia, the two men know what they have to do. They've got to brave the dangers of the dragon's lair and hope there's something to defeat the monster razing the country in fire and flames. Otherwise, this new world is going to be a place where becoming a dragon's dinner is the better option.

It seems like lifetimes have passed since Benjy and Marty watched the old world die. Not everyone's caught up with the changes. For the moment it seems they might be the only ones who truly understand that nothing will ever be the same again. They both know that won't last long. Dragons have emerged from their eons-long slumber and the world must come to terms with it or perish in fire. Panic and chaos spring up in the wake of these living natural disasters and people are looking for a safe place to hide from their winged overlords. Governments aren't handling the revelation well and there are a lot of people falling through the cracks. It just so happens that Benjy and Marty have found themselves in control of what could come to be one of the last safe places. Power always has a price, and even when wielded for the good of others it can come with dire consequences. Benjy and Marty have to face the hard truth as the first innocents and invaders come, one after the other. The lure of strength and protection provoke challenges from man and magical beast alike. Welcome to the United States of Dragons Ascendant, where the stakes are the lives of millions and the fates of nations.

Not everyone is happy with what Benjy and Marty are building. Rather, they're unhappy that they're not the ones in charge. The birth pangs of a new community are hard enough to navigate, but what happens when jealousy leads to a rivalry that could strangle this newborn wonder? While others scheme, Benjy and Marty have a kingdom to establish, mouths to feed, and shelter to provide. There are raiders to repel, secrets to uncover in the dungeons, and subjects to appoint to the kingdom's offices. The right royal mason will raise strong walls, but the wrong one could send them crumbling with one fell stroke of hammer on chisel. The crown may be heavy, but that doesn't mean one man must bear it all alone. Trusting people is a necessary vulnerability, and they must choose wisely. The dragons have changed the world forever, and now they are searching for dominions to claim as their own. Benjy's and Marty's experiment in self-government looks like a tasty treat to snatch up while it is still so young and tender. Can our heroes protect the safe haven for humanity they've created? Or will the overwhelming odds of internal plotting and fire-breathing enemies at their door prove too much to handle?

Being a king is still unreal to Benjy, but there's nothing imaginary about the kingdom he and Marty have built. Step by step, brick by brick, they've built something beautiful. Something evil craves. Once again, their safe haven for the wounded and weary is under threat. From the corpse of what was once the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, forgotten sins are stirring. Threats concealed in the dark corners of the old empire see their chance to emerge. Their insidious intentions have brewed in malevolent patience over eons, and now their hour has come. The kingdom so lovingly built and fiercely fought for is their objective, and there is no depth to which they won't stoop to take it for themselves. Benjy and Marty need to dig deep within themselves... but will that be enough to save them and those staking their lives on their kingdom's strength from annihilation? Digging deeper into the ancient lair is the only solution. What secrets will Benjy and Martin uncover, and will they give them the ability to vanquish this new challenge? What will wielding those secrets cost them? Is any price too high to save what they've built?

An unprecedented cold season settles over the kingdom, and Benjy dares to hope that winter will give everyone a chance to breathe easy while their enemies sleep through the deep freeze. Repelling Addervaul's assault took it out of them, and now the time had arrived to settle in until the thaw brings more flaming fury to their door. What's that wise old saying? Wish in one hand . . . The chill wind blows over the kingdom, carrying the howls of the hungry. Beasts on the hunt, both natural and otherwise, are the least of their problems. Enemies left breathing are enemies who can scheme and plot. Not only do dragons not hibernate, they are no different to any other defeated foe with a grudge to bear. How much pain can Addervaul inflict upon those who humiliated him? To what depths will their ancient adversary sink for a taste of vengeance? Benjy has his work cut out for him yet again, and he soon learns that even his strong shoulders aren't big enough to bear this burden. Apocalypse by dragon could be the end unless might and magic can keep the brittle hopes of a world set on fire alive. If a king cannot defend his people, then is he worthy of the title?

Blood in the water draws sharks, but what does magic in the water bring? An ancient and terrible evil, long held at bay by the tyrants who ruled the air and land with fire and fang is stirring. Benjy and Marty have defied the dragons to build their kingdom on the hope and strength of their humanity. Hope shines in a wyrm-scorched world, but power always comes with consequences. Strength never goes unchallenged for long. Benjy knows what's coming. He and Marty hurry to unravel the winding mysteries of the ancient lair their kingdom is built upon. Addevaul's revenge was a small taste of the waking malice coming for them. It's only a matter of time before the ferocious new threat ceases brooding and rises from the darkness to destroy any who dare to defy its rule. The time of the final test is fast approaching, and all Benjy and Marty have is one last throw of the dice before the dragon-pocalypse wipes the kingdom off the face of the planet. What if all the will and fortitude Benjy possesses is not up to the challenge? What if all of Marty's wisdom and wit are not enough to solve this enigma?