Betrayal of Dragons

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. They used to be trapped beneath the Earth in a mythical place called “Internal World”. That was their domain and the Earth is supposed to be ours. Until a deity with the name “Dhar Gurra” broke through to the internal world and unleashed hell on our land. “The dragons were first seen pouring out of the hole to the internal world like an oozing sickness.” This is what the elders of the valley say but of course, this is all just legend. No one truly knows how the dragons came to be. but I will make sure everyone knows that I, Faeryn Larkspur, vanquished them.

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“Faeryn! Come over here!” I heard my mother yell from our house on the hill. I groaned and stood up, grabbing my basket of mushrooms as I walked towards the path nearby. The sky was clear and the sun was beaming against the smooth, colored rocks. I could see my dress fill with dirt as I dragged my feet on the cold ground. By the time I reached the house, my mother was already starting lunch. She had a large pot over the open flame outside of the cabin. “Did you remember that we are cooking for the village today?, did you get enough mushrooms this time?”

“Yes mother, I got enough this time.” I say with a laugh as I set the basket beside the small picnic table. My mother grinned and started to precisely cut the mushrooms into small chunks.

“Faeryn go get changed, I can’t have my daughter covered in dirt when she sees the elders.” I rolled my eyes and grumbled as I walked into the house to change my dress. When I came back outside my mom was finished with the soup. The smell was tantalizing. “Are you ready to leave?” she asked,

“Yes mother, it smells wonderful.” I snap out of my drooling trance as I realize I said the wrong thing. “I mean yes mother I’m ready to leave.” I start grabbing the large stack of wooden bowls and spoons as my mother lightly smacks my head. She starts to walk away. I started to run to catch up to her when suddenly my leg gave out, I tumbled down the entirety of the hill. All I heard as I took my forced descent was my mothers hysterical laughter.

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When we arrived at the dining hall, the elders were already at their longtable, multiple smaller tables stood at the front of the room. My mothers large cauldron of soup is off to the side near other dishes. My mother noticed me and waved me over for the bowls. When I went over to her she grabbed the bowls and laughed as she pointed to the other dishes.

“Go ahead and get some plates ready for the elders, dear.” she told me as she snatched the bowls out of my hands. I took a second to process what happened as I nodded and grabbed a stack of plates, starting to fill them with salad and potatoes. When I looked over at my mother, she was preparing bowls of soup, handing them off to the elders and thanking them as well. After the elders were fed, everyone else came up to grab food. I handed out the plates as my mother handed out bowls.

Once everyone else had their food, me and my mother grabbed our own food when a conversation between a group of strong soldiers caught my attention.

“Did you hear about the village to the east? I heard they are keeping a dragon as a pet” one said, the other quieting down.

“I heard it’s a super strong dragon, capable of destroying mountains.” they shiver as one cleans a dagger.

“Maybe it's hurt?” the other soldier asked, before they dropped the conversation and continued eating. Dragons are definitely not a dinner topic. I kept the conversation in my mind all throughout the dinner as I looked around absentmindedly. My eyes were drawn to the commander of the main squad. Her pearlescent scale mail armor shining in the light, the colors changing and shifting with every movement she made. It was as if the entire world went silent and numb around her, as she started walking to the front of the hall. The head elder stood up and started clicking his glass.

“May I please have the attention of the room!” The room went silent as we all stared up at him. “I would like to present Commander Zaba, They have an announcement to make.”

“Thank you elder Aoki, I’m sure most of you know me as the village dragon slayer-” Cheers erupted throughout the room. “- I am here to announce that you will know me as such no longer, as I’m going into retirement.” The room went dead silent for a moment, before a loud outrage of yelling ensued.

“Who will protect us?!”

“There is nobody else as strong as you are!”

“We’re all doomed!”

“Silence please” We all looked back up to them as they continued their speech. “I may be retiring but, fear not, you will still be protected. Next week I am hosting a competition to determine the next dragon slayer. Everyone over the age of sixteen is welcome.” Everyone started staring at each other, wondering who the next dragon slayer may be. Commander Zaba slowly went back to their spot as the room erupted into conversation. My mom shrunk back in her chair as the talking got louder. I looked over to my mom, knowing I shouldn’t enter the competition but hoping that I can get the chance to prove my strength to her and the village.

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As soon as the sun rose the next day, I was awake. I could already feel the village buzzing with electricity from the excitement to come. I forced myself out of bed and brushed my tangled copper hair. I snuck out of the house praying that my mom didn’t wake up. I took a moment to appreciate the colors of the sunrise then ran towards the village. As I ran the grass tickled my bare feet, hopefully I don’t fall this time. I continued this pace all the way towards the village, I only slowed down once I arrived. The village was alive with chatter about the upcoming dragon slayer competition. I listen closely to gossip of possible competitors. I hear a few names thrown around. Katla, she’s the black smith’s daughter. I hear she can wield a weapon of any weight. Spjut, he’s an excellent archer, rumors say that he’s never missed a shot. Ulfar, he’s extremely strong and that’s about it, and Grima I’ve heard she's a dragon expert.

I made my way to the other end of the village to sign up for the competition,

There wasn’t much of a fuss considering I’m nineteen and completely eligible but, what I didn’t expect was for them to move me to another location for preparation regarding the competition. As I was escorted into the building I noticed a group of people that could only be the other competitors. I anxiously walked up beside them, moving to the weapon rack as I looked at the selection of weapons. Suddenly I heard a deep, manly voice behind me.

“Move it, piss-ant” It was Ulfar, wielding a large hammer. I stepped out of the way and watched him pass by, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. I get shaken out of my doubt when I hear a loud noise coming from the front of the colosseum. It was Ulfar again, he had set down the hammer, I think it was an intimidation tactic. If it is, it’s working. The next person I noticed was Spjut of course, he was already at the archery range, I think he was shooting down the two hundred meter lane. I don’t think I could hit a ten meter target so of course I’m impressed. I turn back to the weapon rack to see what I can find, I can see a battle ax, another bow and arrow set and a few different swords. I’ve never even wielded a weapon before so how am I supposed to know what one to choose? I guess the obvious choice would be a sword but I know nothing about swords and I’d probably screw up in combat. Archery is out of the question so I guess that leaves the battle ax. As I approach it I notice the spearhead on the edge of the shaft. Maybe I can get used to this, or maybe I’ll hurt myself trying. I picked it up to assess it, the ax is extremely light! I wonder if this would even damage a dragon. If it’s here it must do the job.

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After a day's worth of setting up multiple stages for the trials, the competitors were allowed to go home. My arms were sore and my heart was pounding with excitement and fear for the challenges that would ensue in the following week. There were tests of knowledge, strength, range, and even survival. Each of these would push me past what I have ever done. I hurried home, only to be stopped by my mother standing in the doorway.

“What were you doing?” she asked me, clearly irritated at my disappearance all day. I quickly responded, in fear that she could tell what I was up to.

“I was helping set up the colosseum for the trials next week, that's all!” I said nervously, my heart pounding harder as I quickly walked into the cabin and started to wash the dirt and grime off of my face and body. “Next week is going to be the hardest week of my life,” I say with a sigh and look in the mirror, fixing my hair and smiling.

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