Auden and the Dragons

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. I was only ten when they first arrived, but I remember that day well. Mother woke me early so we could claim the best spot at the market to sell her remedies, which just so happens to be under one of the largest oak trees in the Valley. Not that we needed the best spot for sales, everyone knows mothers potions fix any type of ailments. She claims they're old family recipes passed down from her mother and her mothers mother and a lot of mothers before that. Some of the townys call her a witch, some call her a goddess of mother nature. Regardless of what they think, they all come to her when they have a pounding head or a burning heart. We claimed the spot and set up quickly, just in time for the morning market goers.

I took off on my own, headed to the creek just inside the tree line. "Auden, don't go too far into the forest, stay close." Mother always scolds me when i want to be in the forest. I knew Kiv would already be there waiting for me with whatever he stole on his way through the market. Vendors are too busy setting up their carts to notice a scrawny farm boy. "Think fast Auden!" I caught the apple with an outstretched hand. "Too easy Kiv, you can do better than that!" "I was running behind this morning. Pa had me out shovelin' stalls before it was light out. Only way I was able to escape was because he took to the bottle shortly after." Kiv's father, rather slave master, is the only family Kiv has. His mother died giving birth to his younger sister, who died days after. He usually eats dinner with my family at least 3 times a week if not more. Mother always gives him the leftovers to take home with him. His Pa doesn't seem to mind or care at all what Kiv does as long as he gets his chores done whenever his Pa is sober enough to give them to him.

"We goin to the fort today or sittin by this creek bed all mornin?" The fort was made out of broken branches that backed up to an old maple tree that fell down and had the root exposed. We weren't big enough to swing an ax so we used what resources were available to us. "Let's stay by the creek, I feel like something good is going to happen today!" I didn't know why, but I had this feeling deep in my bones that I needed to stay close to the market.It was only in those short minutes after that my life would change forever.

The forest became silent and then thunderous wind gusts came through the trees. "We gotta get outta here!" Kiv grabs me by the arm and trys to pull me deeper into the woods, but I have to get back to mother. "Kiv we have to go help mother, she'll need us!" I could tell the village was chaos from the treeline, but I couldn't see what the danger was. As soon as we started running through the valley to the market, a large shadow surrounded me and they landed right in front of where we were headed. Three dragons. Everyone ran for their lives. Everyone that is, except for me. I was drawn to the creatures, but I was more drawn to the people who were on their backs, riding them like our scouts ride their horses.

Kiv was at my mothers side, he was always faster than I was. I could see the terror on my mothers face as she yelled for me to come to her. But I couldn't move. Even if I wanted to, there were three giant dragons standing between us. Their large tales covered in scales swayed from side to side making it impossible for me to run in between them. Each dragon was a different color. The largest looked like he came up out of the mines. His scales dark as coal, with yellow blazing eyes. The dragon on his right reminded me of the lavender fields outside of Prairie town. A pastel purple with eyes dark as night. The third was the smallest of the three, with sandstone colored scales and piercing sapphire blue eyes. I was completely in awe and scared shitless. The largest slightly turned his gaze on me, and so did his rider, who was none other than King Oden hismself. The crown on his head was the last thing I noticed in the presence of the dragons. The dragon let out a mountainous roar and fire errupted from his mouth going into the sky. A signal.

I slowly backed away from the three giants and landed myself in the hands of the king's guard. The guard is not known for their mercy but dramatics and tactics. As is the king. How much more dramatic can you get than three dragons?! King Oden disrupts my thoughts, "I, King Oden of Cantrel, hereby claim this valley as the Royal Valley. Provisions have been made for each family to move to Prairie town. Accomodations will be similar to what you have now and occupations will be given." Several villagers speak out, upset that they have to move from the land that was given to them, passed down from generations. In return, the guard grants them swift punishment with a gun to their head. I can no longer see my mother and Kiv. I'm sure they have ran to the cottage and will wait for me there. I try to get out of the grasp of the guard who refuses to let me go. King Oden looks at me again and with a nudge, the dragon lowers his head enough to allow the king to dismount. "What is your name girl?" I'm speechless. I have no words. I've never once seen the king nor have I ever seen three dragons. "I said, what is your name?"he says a little louder and firmer this time. "M-my name is Auden Willover sir - your majesty!" "And where is your family Auden?" "My mother and best friend Kiv was right across the valley until you made your speach your highness, but I do not see them now. I'm sure they went back to the cottage and are expecting me..." I trail off. Why would mother just leave me here on my own? Was she that afraid? The king looks to the guard, "take her back to the palace."

The palace. But why? I know not to question the king. I know what happens to those who question the king. I don't want to die today. As the guard drags me away from the Valley, I glance back one last time to try and find my mothers face, but all I see are the remaining few villagers who are stubborn enough to put up a fight, and a quick blaze of fire sends them to their fiery deaths. A statement of power. I look to the transport that will be taking me to the palace. Purple flags of three dragons with Silver stars on the bodies. The King's flags.

Ten years ago and I still remember that day like it was yesterday.