Dragonguard

Battlefield

By: E. Chancey

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. At least, that was what people believed. A common tale that had often become fact around the fireplace. When the hearth stories were told of the great protectors of the Dragonguard and how they had come to Wardhaven. The stories tell of summer days when field hands are interrupted at their tasks by villainous attackers. Or fall harvests where rampaging brigands demanded money and loot from townspeople. Yet another version has enemy soldiers forcing people from their homes in the dead of winter so they might have a warm place to ride out the cold season.

But the common theme that holds true is this: Evil came to the valley of Wardhaven and the Dragonguard was there to stop it. This is the truth of the tale.

It was spring, just warm enough that the ground had become ripe for tilling to plant the first crops of the year. Gayla shielded her eyes from the early rays of the morning sun and pulled her coat collar tighter around her neck with one hand, propping the basket of precious seedlings from the plant house on her right hip. As her breath fogged in front of her, she surveyed the small plot of tilled earth next to the house. Odd colored eyes, one brown the other hazel, sparkled with determination as the light morning breeze ruffled her long dark curls. Her proving season had finally started. Now that she was eighteen she had six months to prove she could take on the responsibility of her own land. If she could make this corner of land prosper in the next six months then it would be hers and she was determined to make it despite the fact that no one else had wanted this meadow. Acres of open land surrounded by trees and backed up against cave riddled cliffs to the north that were the opening of a system of canyons. It was perfectly irrigated with a small lake at the other end of the meadow and the cliffs would shield her from the worst of the winter weather that swept the valley.

So she shook off the rumors of blood soaked soil from past conflicts making the ground untenable and had spent the last month building her home and starting crop seedlings for her garden. It had cost her a month of earnings from her weavings to get a small plot tilled for her earliest planting and the ground had turned surprisingly well to expose rich black soil. The ground was so easy to till that Gayla had decided to purchase a plow as soon as she could. But for now she would tend to the young seedlings in her basket. As she dug into the black soil she enjoyed the feel of the soft, loamy earth between her fingers while she tucked the young tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and melons into their new home.

It was nearly noon when she finished and as she surveyed her work with hands on hips with a satisfied sigh. Then she nodded and went to the water trough at the well. Sitting on the edge of the well was the long haired black and grey tabby cat who’d come to hang around since she had come to the meadow.

“ Good morning, Shadow, “ said Gayla with a smile. She chuckled as the cat looked at her dirt encrusted hands and began cleaning himself. “ Very true. And I promise to wash my hands before I touch you. “

The cat meowed at her and Gayla laughed. She sometimes wondered if this strange cat wasn’t more than a cat. After all, there were the tales her grandmother had told her about mystical creatures who disguised themselves as ordinary animals and guided them. Then she shook her head and shelved that away with tales of fairies and elves. They may exist but mixing with humans was rare.

“ Well, Shadow, “ said Gayla as she washed her hands in the water bucket on the edge of the stone well. “ We’ve got the early veggies and herbs in the ground. I think this afternoon we’ll see if we can find some wild fruit trees or berry bushes to bring back for the orchard while we forage. “

Shadow cocked his shaggy head as he looked at her with pale blue eyes. He pawed at the air and meowed again.

“ I’m always careful dear, “ said Gayla. She picked up her satchel and hitched her trousers up as she turned toward the woods east of her house. “ I expect to be back before dinner. “

As she walked into the trees Gayla slung a crossbow over her other shoulder. She used it primarily for hunting and had yet to run into anything dangerous in the nearby woods but her father had taught her to never assume an attack was impossible. It was easy to forget the outside world in these woods. The quiet was all encompassing and Gayla reveled in it. The only sounds she heard were those of the breeze rustling through the trees above and the animals waking to the warming day. Birdsong drifted down from the trees while squirrels busily dug for nuts.

Gayla took her time wandering the woods, marking trees periodically with a circle cut deep into their bark to show the boundaries of her claimed territory. As she came across berry bushes she identified them and tied a string on them if they were young enough to be transplanted easily to her homestead. She collected berries from those mature enough to bear early fruit while being careful to only take what she needed. It was as she followed the tracks of a rabbit through the underbrush that Shadow appeared.

“ Shadow, “ she said with a smile. She kept her voice low so as not to alert her prey. “ If all goes well we’ll have rabbit for dinner tonight. “

The big cat rumbled and purred as if in approval while he followed Gayla through the brush. He padded along next to her and the girl wondered, not for the first time, at the strangely intelligent cat watching her carefully select another border tree. She set to work carving her marker and from the corner of her eye she noticed Shadow moving away.

Gayla turned from the tree she’d just finished marking and looked for Shadow. He sat a few feet away in a patch of sunlight waiting for her. As she approached she saw the light flash off something at his feet. With a curious frown, Gayla crouched to pick up whatever had caught Shadow’s attention. Her eyes widened as she examined it.

It was black, oblong in shape and slightly concave. Smooth and the size of her hand when she spread her fingers to their widest it might have been mistaken for a piece of obsidian. But despite its hardness and stone-like appearance one edge was lighter and a little softer under her thumb as she ran her fingers over it carefully. Her eyes grew wide as she realized what this was.

“ This is a dragon scale, Shadow, “ said Gayla softly. She ran her thumb over the softer edge again. “ And freshly shed at that. This can’t have been here more than an hour at best. Probably less. “

“ Mrrow, “ said Shadow. He looked at her and pawed at the scale, then cocked his head in question.

“ I’d no idea the Dragonguard came through here, “ she said thoughtfully. After a moment she tucked the scale into her satchel. “ We’ll just keep this safe. If Granny was right there are some odd and dangerous things that can be done with a dragon scale in the wrong hands. “

With a brief look at the patch of sky above them, Gayla stood and headed off into the woods again. She sighed wistfully, wondering what it would be like to soar through the sky on the back of a dragon like members of the Dragonguard did. Being of age this year she could have traveled to an Eyrie to stand as a potential hatchmate but she had no knowledge of one close by and the competition to be chosen as a dragon partner for a new hatchling was too great at the larger Eyries. A few had given up their proving seasons in Wardhaven but only one had been chosen for pairing. Returning empty handed meant losing the best part of the year and potentially failing the season.

“ It may well have been worth it though, “ said Gayla with another wistful look at the sky. Then she smiled down at Shadow. “ Maybe this is a sign of a patrol pattern. Maybe if they see someone living here now they’ll come by to trade or visit. I can’t imagine they’d have much of a reason to be in Wardhaven elsewise. The Dragonguard is meant to protect against evil and they’re not likely to find that here. “

With another sigh, Gayla turned her attention back to tracking the rabbit. She slipped quietly through the underbrush as she followed the tracks. Just as she was preparing to peek through another patch of brush, expecting to see her prey on the other side, a strange noise from Shadow made her pause. His fur fluffed out and his tail thrashed angrily. As she looked down at him she frowned when she saw his pupils narrow and the crystal blue in his eyes seemed to shimmer. They both twitched violently when they heard the shrill squeal of a dying rabbit followed by a voice.

“ Come out, child, “ said man’s voice from the other side of their bush. “ I can feel your presence. “

Gayla hesitated a moment, then stepped out into the open cautiously. Before her was a large clearing filled with knee high grasses. About thirty paces away near the center of the clearing stood a short man who looked to be in his late forties. His steely grey hair was shoulder length and slicked back. Dark, nearly black eyes were set in a pale, angular face with sharp cheekbones and a narrow chin. Heavy black robes draped a thin frame. The smile he turned on her was all false and she saw the dead rabbit dangling from one hand. When she got a little closer she could see blood trickling from the nose, eyes and ears of the rabbit. Obviously it had died a hard death but she couldn’t tell how.

“ Good day to you, dear girl, “ the man said in that light voice laden with false cheer. “ Strange to come across someone this far out into the empty meadows. Are you hunting? “

“ Yes, “ Gayla answered. She gripped the strap of her satchel with one hand and her crossbow with the other. “ And marking my land. I was unaware this piece had already been claimed. “

“ Oh no, my dear, “ said the man. He chuckled. “ I was just out looking for… something. Perhaps you’ve seen it? An oblong stone disc? Black in color? “

Gayla shrugged and shook her head. “ Sorry. But I wasn’t looking either. “

“ Are you sure? “ he asked as he narrowed his eyes on her and stepped a little closer.

“ Quite, “ said Gayla. She wasn’t about to hand the dragon scale over to this man when everything about him felt so wrong.

“ I’m sorry, my child, “ said the man as a dark purple glow emanated from him and he lifted his empty left hand. “ But I simply can’t take the chance that you are lying. “

There was a pull at her side as Gayla felt a nettle like sting in her hands. The bag at her side was pulled by an invisible force and she dropped her crossbow to use both hands to keep a grip on the bag. The buckle on the flap tried to open itself and she grabbed it as she glared at the man.

“ Keep your magic off me, wizard, “ Gayla hissed. “ I’ve nothing against your people in general but you will not take what is mine. “

“ So you do have the scale, “ said the mage with an unpleasant smile.

“ Wouldn’t you like to know, “ said Gayla. The prickles in her hands started to feel more like needles. She gritted her teeth and hugged the bag to her chest as the pain and the pull increased. “ Maybe I just don’t want you taking what is mine, thief. “

“ Do not resist me, girl, “ the mage growled. Sweat popped out on his pale skin as he took another step toward her. “ Else I may have to damage you. Unfortunate when you could be so useful to us. “

“ Have at it, “ hissed Gayla between clenched teeth.

She was so focused on keeping her satchel that Gayla didn’t notice the surprise on the mage’s face when she not only maintained her hold on the satchel but managed to take a few steps back. As she turned slightly trying to head into the brush behind her she could almost feel the battle of wills between them. The pain increased and she began to feel like her skin was on fire. Gayla growled in determination and glared at the mage. She locked eyes with him and pushed back against the painful presence he was projecting.

Just when Gayla was beginning to wonder what to do next she heard a noise behind her. A furry blur flew past her and suddenly Shadow had taken up a defensive position between her and the mage. The mage started to sneer but then surprise replaced disdain and he ceased his attack on Gayla. She dropped to her knees and watched in awe.

Before their eyes, Shadow doubled and then redoubled in size until he was the size of a small horse. His color changed from black and grey to light blue-grey marked out with indigo blue stripes. A deep growl rumbled up from deep in his chest as he fixed his pale blue eyes on the mage and his snarl bared fangs nearly as long as Gayla’s hand from wrist to fingertips.

“ Shadow? “ said Gayla.

“ Back away mage, “ said the cat in a deep rumbling voice. Shadow was glaring at the mage. “ This girl is of no interest to you. You will leave her be. “

“ A saber-cat?! “ said the mage. He stumbled back a few steps. “ There shouldn’t be any of you in this valley! “

“ I could say the same of you, dark mage, “ said Shadow. He bared his fangs in a feline sneer. “ Leave now. Before I am forced to do something about you. “

“ The girl possesses something I want, “ said the mage. “ If she gives it over I will leave peacefully. “

“ You have no need of a dragon scale, “ said Gayla. She got to her feet again. “ There are no good things a dark mage can do with one and plenty of bad. Especially a dark mage. “

The mage’s face turned red and they could see his anger rising. A purple glow flared at his fingertips and Gayla threw herself to the ground just as he threw a purple fireball at her. She rolled as he quickly followed with another fireball and it narrowly missed her. Shadow let out an angry roar and charged the mage.

The mage threw up a shield and Shadow hissed in pain as he bounced off, stunned briefly by a jolt of purple lightning. The great cat shook his shaggy head and the mage turned his attention to Gayla. She clutched the satchel more tightly to her chest as the mage prepared to attack once more. Gayla glared at him, determined to keep the dragon scale away from him. She did not know why he wanted it but if he was a dark mage as Shadow had said then it wasn’t for anything good. Once more she felt pins and needles over her whole body.

“ I said leave off, mage, “ hissed Gayla.

She gathered herself and set her will against his as she pulled the scale out of her satchel and gripped it with both hands. She didn’t notice when it began to glow with a soft white light. Slowly the glow spread until she was entirely engulfed in it and suddenly the pain of the mage’s attack ceased.

Just as Shadow gathered himself to attack again they heard a roar overhead that made Gayla’s eyes go wide and the mage go pale. The roar sounded again, much closer this time, and a shadow passed over them. They looked up and Gayla was in awe at the sight of a dragon sweeping down from the sky. Sunlight flashed off a mass of black scales that could be the match to the one in her hands. As it passed overhead the down sweep of it’s wings knocked the mage from his feet.

The dragon landed and trotted over to them. In build and movement it was much like a giant cat but with a broader chest and a horny backsweeping crest on it’s head. It stopped near them and the rider slid out of the leather saddle and dropped to the ground. He walked over to them, removing his helmet and flight glasses before pushing a mop of heavy brown curls out of his eyes with one gloved hand. Bright blue eyes flicked around at each of them, pausing at Shadow and then watching as the big cat moved to stand with Gayla.

“ So, my friends, “ he said with a guarded expression on his handsome face. “ Who has my dragon’s scale? “