Miguel Santa Maria

Clouds and Curses

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Dragons once dwelled within the vivid panel paintings that snaked the halls of the dragon monastery, guarded zealously by Lina’s people. Dragons once danced through the songs that were sung on the Summer Solstice and flew brazenly on the banners that were posted in the village. Dragons were once revered spiritual guardians, symbols of the longevity and strength of the Empire. The Elders proclaimed that when dark times approached, dragons would descend from the heavens and grace the children of the Empire with wisdom. As a child, Lina remembered being mildly disappointed hearing that. Times were good then, so the dragons wouldn’t come. She imagined beautiful beasts like the temple depictions, with scales flashing every color of the rainbow and with lion-like manes that flowed like a river. She so badly wanted to see one that she prayed for it each night to the Gods of the Celestial Court, the pantheon of the Empire. After a few months of prayer, Lina’s wish was granted- but she’s regretted it ever since. When real dragons descended on the Valley, the nightmare began. Lina learned that dragons weren’t beautiful at all. The paintings, the songs, and the banners were all lies. The Elders’ prophecy was a lie. Dragons only bring death and destruction.