Matty Dodd

Oath of Vengeance

There weren't always dragons in the valley. At least, that is what Papa said. Naanji couldn't imagine it without them. She was crouched high up in a tree, one hand on the branch above, the other on her bow. From here she could see almost all of Nilahiin. It sprawled through the valley, enveloping the river Lil. The wooden buildings all looked remarkably similar, blending in with the rainforest. The unison between the town and the forest was ruined by the huge red flags that were littered throughout Nilahiin. They signified the presence of the Empire, who had become known, due to an infamous but no doubt mythical faction of the military, as the dragons. Naanji didn't believe the rumours about the factions powers, but many did. She did believe in the power of the Empire however, and she still found it hard to believe that Papa had seen the valley without their presence. To her, they were part of the valley, just like the trees, the river and the rain.