One of Queen Zaia's Dragons and his rider.
This is one of the feared Obsidian Guard Dragons, or as they are more commonly known, The Black Death.
This squadron of Dragons usually consists of younger more impetuous Dragons and it's ranks tend to be mostly filled by NCOs and enlisted and very few officers.
The original Obsidian Guard was formed many centuries ago at the behest of a the mad Steward Hilivan. They served as his personal guard and was initially made up of VERY unscrupulous Dragons and riders. They committed great atrocities under the rule of Hilivan. When a new King was crowned and Hilivan was executed, the Obsidian Guard was banished to the out lying unknown lands. There they were to function as a permanent border guard and were given little or no support in their duties. Many of the Guard were killed.
A small hand full survived the posting and learned from their past mistakes and losses and formed a very tight and highly functional unit. Still, they were left on their own and to their own devices for decades.
One day they were called back to help defend the realm when the majority of the Dragons were stricken with a plague. For one squadron that had never replenished it's numbers they fought amazingly well, almost single handily driving off the Sion Bear army that had laid siege to the realm.
After the victory the Obsidian Guard were offered the chance to reclaim their lost honor and return to the main ranks of the kingdoms Dragon Army, but they refused, instead requesting to return to their home out in the unknown territories and their previous duties. They were granted their request and were given a full logistical support battalion to return with them. They also received the right to periodically come into the realm and draw new members from the ranks of the Dragon Army of their choosing.
This was how the Obsidian Guard maintained for almost 200 years, but eventually the unknown territories had been tamed and the need for a military presence such as the OG was not needed. They were recalled to the Queen who was reigning at the time and reorganized into a Lightning Squadron, a quick strike attack group, but were allowed to keep most of their autonomy.
It was during this time that the first members of the OG began to wear the black armor that their name implied. They also died their beards, hair and mains and painted claws, talons and spikes, black. Soon after the enemies of the realm came to recognize the OG as The Black Death, and they became the most feared Dragon Squadron in all the lands and one no enemy wanted to face.
To this day, they are the first Squadron called upon to attack the enemies of the realm.
More to come on the Dragons and their riders.