I've written a fantasy novel. Any thoughts on it?

**Prologue**<br><br>A thousand years had passed since the Last Great War between Good and Evil. The world was finally at peace, and a golden age of prosperity had befallen the Free Peoples of Eridoria. <br><br>But little did they know that the dawn of a new era was approaching. An era in which the fate of the world would be decided, and only those who possessed the strength to wield the ancient magics of times long past would determine its course. The Third Great War, a calamity from which the world might never recover, was drawing ever nearer.<br><br>In the mystical realm of Tenethoria, where the sun dipped into the horizon and painted the evening sky with hues of crimson and gold, the village of Brindlemark lay, surrounded by an endless expanse of lush forests and rolling green hills.<br><br>It was a village like any other. One whose people knew no life beyond the familiar sight of trees swaying gently in the summer breeze. They tilled the earth and reaped its bounty. They lived, they loved, and they died. And they were happy.<br><br>But on this day, the villagers had gathered in the town square. An air of excitement and nervousness filled the atmosphere as they awaited the arrival of a young man. A man destined for greatness.<br><br>To one side of the square stood Thorne Stonefist and his wife, Gwyneth. They were the village elder and healer respectively. <br><br>The villagers parted as Alaric Stormbringer made his way through the crowd. Eighteen years of age, with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair, he was tall, handsome, and strong beyond measure. He was well-liked, and the villagers revered him. <br><br>“Alaric,” said Thorne. “The trial is a dangerous one. Do you still wish to proceed?”<br><br>“I do.” Alaric answered.<br><br>“Then let us begin.”<br><br>Thorne walked towards a large stone pedestal, upon which rested a metallic artifact that glinted in the sunlight. <br><br>“This is the trial of the Sword in the Stone. A test that has been taken by countless generations of Stormbringers, from which only three have ever emerged victorious. Do you know its rules?”<br><br>“I do.”<br><br>“Then please, proceed.”<br><br>Alaric drew near to the pedestal. He placed his right hand on the hilt of the sword, and pulled. The villagers watched in awe as sweat began to trickle down his face. They gasped as the muscles in his arms rippled. <br><br>Finally, the sword began to move, and the villagers erupted into cheers as Alaric held it aloft.<br><br>Thorne approached him, a mixture of sadness and joy in his eyes.<br><br>“Well done, Alaric. You have proven yourself to be stronger than any of us ever could have hoped. But now, your true journey must begin. Dark days lie ahead, and we cannot stand against the evil that threatens to consume the world.”<br><br>Alaric lowered the sword. “What darkness? Why must I leave?”<br><br>“Five years past, the dark lord Xandros returned to power. His armies have swept across the world, laying waste to everything in their path. The Free Peoples have banded together. They are at war, and are in need of your aid.”<br><br>Xandros. The very mention of his name sent shivers down Alaric's spine. He was a dark sorcerer of great power. A being against whom even the gods themselves once contended, and lost. <br><br>“How am I to find them?” he asked.<br><br>Thorne held out a folded parchment. “Lord Arin the Third. He rules over the kingdom of Eldrid. It is likely that he will be the commander of the combined forces. Give him this letter.”<br><br>Alaric took the parchment, and placed it into his leather tunic. “I can't just walk to Eldrid. Even if I hasten, the journey would take months.”<br><br>“In that case, there is only one option left to you.”<br><br>Thorne gestured towards the edge of the forest. Alaric followed his gaze, and his eyes widened as a magnificent dragon emerged from the dense undergrowth. It was unlike any that Alaric had ever laid eyes on. Its scales glistened like gold as the sunlight danced across them. Its eyes burned with a fierce inner fire as it folded its powerful claws across its chest. <br><br>The villagers trembled with fear as the dragon approached. Alaric however, drew closer to it. He reached out his right arm, and gently stroked its snout. <br><br>“You've grown tremendously, Erias.”<br><br>“How has he grown so much in such a short amount of time?” asked one of the villagers.<br><br>“Then perhaps you should stop feeding him, wife.” said Thorne.<br><br>The villagers laughed.<br><br>“I can see that you're as much of a fool as ever.” said Gwyneth. “How many times have I told you not to encourage him?”<br><br>“Then stop doing it yourself.”<br><br>Thorne chuckled, before turning back to Alaric. <br><br>“You've known Erias since he was a hatchling, and have cared for him ever since. Will he consent to being your steed?”<br><br>Alaric smiled. “He'll do as he wishes.”<br><br>Erias lowered his head, and gently nudged Alaric with his snout.<br><br>“I know. But do you really wish to part with her?”<br><br>The dragon growled, and nudged Alaric once more. Then he turned to the villagers. <br><br>“I'm leaving now. I likely won't return.” he said.<br><br>The villagers began to murmur amongst themselves. <br><br>“Some of us will come with you!” exclaimed one.<br><br>“Can I come too?” asked another.<br><br>“Will you take me with you as well?” asked a third. <br><br>Thorne raised his voice. “Silence! You know that you're not strong enough to survive such a journey! We cannot even protect ourselves! What help could you be to Alaric and the Free Peoples in their struggle?”<br><br>The villagers began to argue, and Alaric raised his voice to be heard. <br><br>“Enough! I don't want to have to risk any of your lives.”<br><br>“We're not afraid of dying.”<br><br>“Then you should be.”<br><br>The villagers continued to plead with Alaric, but he would not be moved. <br><br>Finally, he turned away from them. He climbed onto Erias' back, and the dragon began to walk towards the forest. <br><br>Alaric glanced back towards the villagers. “I'll see you again, one day.”<br><br>As Erias broke into a sprint, the villagers watched as the duo disappeared into the distance.<br><br>Thorne turned to them. “Let us return to our daily lives. But let us also wish them luck, for they have gone to decide the fate of the world.”<br><br>The villagers departed, each lost in their own thoughts as they returned to their daily routines. <br><br>Thorne watched them go, before turning to Gwyneth.<br><br>“You knew that this day would come. Why are you so sad?”<br><br>“I've watched that young man grow into adulthood. I've always considered him to be like a son to me.”<br><br>“I know how you feel.”<br><br>The sun began to set as Thorne and Gwyneth walked towards the edge of the forest. <br><br>Erias and Alaric were long gone, flying through the skies towards the kingdom of Eldrid.