Broken Peace

There weren't always dragons in the valley. In fact, very little called this wasteland a home. Only scavengers would truly settle down here.

That made it the perfect place to hide.

A large shadow blotted out the sun briefly, hares and bighorn sheep scampering away, scattering into whatever crevice they could close themselves into. Even coyotes were roused from their daylight slumber, breaking for their dens. Unfortunately, one of the beasts was a tad too slow. A deft claw snatched up a juicy sheep, tossing it up into the waiting maw of a scaled, glittering blue creature.

The lone drake in these lands…perhaps, of the world, if legend was to be believed.

The colossal jaws crunched down on her snack. Serpentine, icy blue eyes scanned the valley for its next bite. The scales shone in the dying light of the sun, a crystalline diorama of blue lights flashing across the walls, reminiscent of the distant seafront, as she made her path forward.

A soft pat to the base of her neck drew attention away from her prey below. The mighty creature’s eyes snapped back to regard the young figure saddled on its back. A smiling youth, clutching tight to the horns that protruded from her back, opened his mouth to speak. The wind whipped around him, drowning out the sound. There was a sudden dip, causing the boy’s grin to turn to surprise as he gripped to her spikes even tighter.

“In your head, wyrmling. I’m listening,” an affectionate, motherly voice slipped into the boy’s mind.

There was a pause on the boy’s head as he got his bearings. “Maybe it’s time to head back?”

A soft rumble came from the scaly form as she chuckled. Young Ethan always pestered her to take him flying, but he never was fond of her eating habits. Wings fanned out to either side, the thin membrane catching the light as the two slowed. The blue danced along the valley floor before a mighty twist sent them rocketing into the air.

A yelp was drowned out by the rush of wind around them, Ethan clinging to the spikes ever so tightly to keep himself from flying off. “Hold on tight, wyrmling.”

The next words were similarly drowned out before his exasperated reply came through. “A little warning next time, Safir.”

Another rumble came from Safir as she leveled out in the air, gliding along the currents. It wasn’t a long flight to their destination. A small opening in the cliffside, barely large enough for the form of the dragon to fit through, was the target. She swept down, making her perch at the edge of the opening before shifting her body forward. Her wings folded back against her frame, allowing her to take a few tentative steps forward.

As she did, azure flames began to dot the cave walls, lighting on their approach. It trailed along the path forward, allowing her rider to make out the details of the cave. The smooth, almost glass-like appearance of the walls reflected the light, allowing the blue glow to bathe the tunnel as they went. Safir took great pride in that, the tunnel a testament to her own power and finesse, carved in flame as she made this the new home for her family.

Ethan marveled once more at the glossy surface, looking at his reflection in the smooth surface. His hand went up to the messy mop of brown hair, quickly trying to brush it down to make himself presentable before they reached their home. It was a lost cause, unfortunately, the wind-swept hair fighting to be righted after their flight. At least his clothes were still presentable, the royal blue cloak that hung off his shoulders having kept the rest of his clothing protected from the rushes of wind.

The tunnel wound through the valley, leading deeper into the mountain range it was a part of. It wasn’t too far of a walk, though, especially with Safir’s mighty steps. Light shone from the other end, leading out to a large opening, surrounded by mountains. A cluster of small cottages rested in the center, indistinct from this height. He could just barely make out the figures moving around the fields, tending to what animals and crops they had in this small enclosure. It was the perfect defensive positioning with mountains towering all around them.

That wasn’t the most breathtaking of the sights, though.

The two colored dots that trailed the skies above the cottages, careful not to peak above the mountains, caught Ethan’s eye. A smile came to his lips as he saw the mighty red Ignis and the lithe blue Azure. The three last remaining dragons in the whole world and Ethan had the pleasure of being with all of them. He was sure their home would be kept safe, despite the warnings of his father.

The smile on his lips still, he patted Safir’s neck again. “Let’s get home.”

Safir glanced back before letting out another small rumble. With a sudden movement, she dove out of the cave, her wings catching the air and bringing her aloft as Ethan whooped in joy.

Nothing could disturb their little peaceful glen, the home they had built for themselves.

Well…almost nothing.

High above where even the dragons would not soar, three figures stood. The woman clad in silver armor, a gleaming blade at her side, knelt down on the rocky outcropping as she looked down on the small village that had formed under her Queen’s nose. A stone-faced visage kept her emotions in check, caramel hair tied back into a ponytail as piercing green eyes scanned the land. Three dragons. Who knew how many capable fighters were among the last of the riders? It wouldn’t matter. She would overwhelm them.

To her right, a mass of shadows in the form of a large feline gathered. It stayed by her side, glowing amethysts looking out at the expanse before it. As the shadows whipped and swirled around it, two tendrils split from the back of its neck before melding back to its body. It looked to its master, awaiting its orders silently.

The man, standing above her, a tattered brown cloak hiding the armor beneath. His messy mop of shoulder length chestnut hair framed the light stubble and dark bags beneath his ocean blue eyes. The frown on his face gave away his own feelings about this endeavor far more easily than his companion would allow to break through her own mask. “This is the last favor you get to ask of me, Rose,” the man spoke softly, a crack in his voice betraying the pain.

“This is not a favor to me. This is your duty to your Queen,” the woman replied shortly. “If you do not have the stomach for it, Feris, leave.”

Feris bowed his head, mulling over the responses he could give her. Their history together. His hand rose, the large beast beside Rose growling in warning should he strike at its master. His hand waved out, the chaos and flow of magic bending to his will.

Far below, the wisps began to tread along the mountain floor, blue gusts of magic surrounding the glen. The dragons had taken notice, eyes cast down at the circle forming around them. As it continued its path, soldiers appeared, summoned by the magic from their waiting spot, clad in the shining armor of their empire, weapons drawn.

As the last soldier made its appearance, Feris closed his hand into a fist, spinning away. “This is the last, Rose. I cannot abide by that tyrant any longer. I cannot watch what your service does to you. This is the last time,” he reiterated, waving his hand out to form another misty entrance before him.

“So be it.” Rose was already mounting the large shadow creature as she spoke. Her sword was drawn. “The next time we meet, may it be on the battlefield.” With that, she pointed her sword forward and the creature leapt away, shadows seeming to form beneath its paws to keep it afloat as it made its way down into the glen. The battle was on. Their peace was lost.

Feris watched sadly as his friend went. “May it never come to that.” He turned away, leaving the chaos that he had assisted in.

The last threads of peace were gone. Now, he needed to figure out what to do from here.