The Purple and the Blue

During the feudal era of Kyreland there rose to prominence two magicians of exceptional skill and power: Bouragner of Felpass, who took the color purple as his own and controlled the lands to the west of the River Kyre; and Machalion Draconicus, the Dragon's Son, who flew a night-blue standard and ruled all the lands to the east.

The exploits between these two have become the subject of many wives tales and cautionary fables, at least one was the direct catalyst for a minor civil war, and their rivalry—interrupted by a hiatus of some few hundred years—continues to this day, albeit on more friendly, less destructive terms.

What exactly happened then, that fateful day on the banks of the River Kyre, to estrange the Purple and the Blue? Today no one knows, not even the two directly concerned (they have long since forgotten). Only the River knows for certain what transpired, and as the River was the only thing ever able to keep them off each other's throats, perhaps it is best not to pester it with questions.

Aha! Thought all I did was post comics nowadays, did you? Well, here you are then! (But it is worth mentioning that both Bouragner and Machalion can be seen in action, right now, over at #AngeldevilManga —EVERYONE ON DEVIANTART WILL READ IT, I SWEAR!)

8.25"x12" Prismacolor pencil on illustration paper. The January illustration for my Black Book Project, this appears on page 125 of my Black Book.