Dragons Hunt in the Valley

Chapter 1

The First Foal

Julia Wenger

6 June 2022

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. The night wasn't always eternal. Our Valley was peaceful and alive beneath the shimmering light of the Sun. The stars used to sparkle and shine upon the water. My herd didn't always worship the dead Moon. The Moon and her children used to shine in the constellations by the millions. Our horns were blessed with the light of her children. We were her favorite on the Earth, and our bodies glowed in her soft light. My people were glorious. It was said that the Valley would be in bloom for as long as our people lived here and that we should live in the Moon's light for eternity. We thought we could never see eternity end, believing the word to mean a measurement of time unending. But eternity, as it came to be known, always meant what is to come. Eternity has come. It is darkness. The Valley is haunted, and dragons hunt us. Eternity is our extinction.

Earth does not die in a day. The Valley did not suddenly shrivel up in black decay. No, we barely noticed until it was much too late. It started small. The flowers ceased their timeless cycle of life and were only seen to be in a state of full bloom. One day, we noticed that the falling petals were not replaced with new growth. The herd was moving away from the hills to the forest on the edge of our home. We go or used to go there to bear our young where the shadows were darkest, and the forest did not let the light of the Sun touch the ground, for we believed that Unicorns must be born in the dark so we are not tainted by the sunlight before the Moon can shine on us and imbue our horns with the blessing. Her children, the stars, could gaze upon the beauty of us before any others. We were vain. No unicorn would deny it. We believed, and I still believe our horns reflected the stars, and this is why the Moon blessed us. She was so enthralled with her children's beauty when she saw their light reflecting from our horns that she was tricked and believed us to be her own children scattered among the many beneath and around her. We thought ourselves to be her children too, and the stars were our brothers and sisters. They are all dead. Our Mother no longer shines. She does not wax or wane. Our horns are as dull as her dead grey face.

There aren't many of my people left. Unicorns can live forever, but we can still be killed in nature or fall to weariness and despair. It used to be that for every Unicorn who perished, one was born anew, so our numbers were always sustained, but we never became a burden in our Valley. Many have been murdered by the dragons. Many more have succumbed to hopelessness. There has not been a unicorn born in the Valley for, well, none of us can remember the last time. It must be indeed a very long time. When I found myself pregnant, I thought it was a miracle and that our people might be saved. If I could bear young, then maybe soon the others might as well. Perhaps, whatever poison had torn through our home was finally receding. But my joy and hope have been overcast with fear and superstition since the moment I joyfully exclaimed my condition. The others darkened at the news. No unicorn was ever born without the blessing of our Mother Moon. All have been witnessed by her children. What might befall us if one was not blessed? Might the foal be? What if it was cursed? A monster? Maybe unicorns became monsters if they were born without the light of the Moon. It will be born twisted and lame.

They whispered these nightmares behind my back, but the echoes reached me and stabbed my heart. They spoke gravely to me, hanging their heads as though I had told them I'd been poisoned. My herd has become sparse and spread throughout the Valley. We keep our groups small to avoid detection by the dragons and ensure we are not all wiped out in one blast of a dragon's breath if we are caught altogether. After I told my pod, we sent a runner not to share news of hope but to call a council. All herd is to join in the great cave to discuss what is to be done with me and my foal.

Many days have passed now, it takes a very long time for news to reach all of the pods. Our runner, Netro, never returned. We know Netro made it to our neighboring pod, for they arrived after ten passes of the spring. First to arrive was the pod of Margo, the eldest of the ten. Margo told us that Netro came to them with deep cuts beneath their ribs and could not make the run back. They left Netro, surely to die. Margo was kind. They went in love and mourning and said the proper praises of Netro's life to the Moon regardless of her lifelessness. We have no healing magic anymore. It is our new custom to let those falling alone, lest someone see them in their weakness. And so, my pod is eight in number. The next pod to arrive was that of varsit. Margo's runner returned with them. Then Pattson's pod came numbering nine whose runner was lost. Their body was found by Maston, the horn and hooves predictably had been removed, and their meat was torn away. Moston said they knew it to be one of Patton's due to the markings upon their flank. Pattson's pod painted their sides all over with dots using soot from burned trees to represent the death of the stars. Patton prayed and cried for several days. The runner had been ollie, Patton's last living foal. It went on like this with the fifteen pods trickling in and runners being reunited with their own. Three of the fifteen runners have been confirmed dead, with two missing.

Nine unicorns were lost traveling to the great cave, dragged away by dragons. A vote was cast for who would go out to alert the remaining five pods, who presumably, hadn't received their messenger. Of those five, all returned and have been reunited with their pods. Of Nazoh's pod, only one remained, a scrawny and twitchy creature, nearly wild, named Yasma. They were invited to join Maston's pod. Yasma wept to be welcomed home to a new pod. They had spent almost a century in solitude and had nearly given in to their weariness. I can say at least one life was saved from the meeting of the herd. We believed all to be present, and finally, Opan, my pod's leader, began the counsel.

Nirra and I went around the cave and lit the nests of kindling, striking our horns across the stone above. We were exceptionally skilled at fire lighting and were selected for the honor. One nest was lit for each pod then we all gathered into a circle within the ring of warm light and laid down together. Many nuzzled old friends and chatted excitedly, attempting to catch up before being silenced. I looked silently and forlorn from my spot between Nirra and Opan. Although our numbers have dwindled and our light is gone, I was still captured by the shimmer of translucent opal horns reflecting the firelight. Nirra leaned over and whispered,

"I remember when there was a sea of horns in the night, and they held the very starlight within them. What a sad sight we have become."

I looked at Nirra and saw the blue film cast over her eyes. Only a tiny pupil shone through in silver. We have become unaccustomed to the light, and I wondered if many were becoming blind. "Sweet Nirra, you cannot see yourself. Your coat looks red as the sunset in the firelight. You are beautiful still".

Nirra smiled, "And you, Tarrnah, are still as lovely as a night lily."

I pressed my cheek against Nirra's neck.

Nirra said, "Don't be afraid. We are with you".

I began to cry then.

Opan began, "Unicorns, I welcome you. It is good we are together again, even if under such precarious circumstances. I know the journey was long. We suffered losses which, with our dwindling numbers, we cannot afford".

I could hear the quiet suffering of Patton as they whispered Ollie's name.

"One of ours is with foal," Opan announced.

There was some gasping of surprise as many had not received the entire message for why we were to gather here.

"That's wonderful news, Opan, but I wonder if we needed to gather, could you not have simply sent runners to announce the pregnancy? We have lost many in coming to celebrate one unborn foal," Cried Margo. "you have lost your runner, and so your number is the same but ours have grown smaller."

Opan said, "I have not called a council to celebrate but discuss what will be done. This is not an announcement. It is a warning of disaster. If we do not come together, who knows what can befall us when Tarrnah's foal comes".

There was much muttering about the death of Mother Moon and the blessing. Some said it was just tradition. It was not real. Others gasped and countered that life could not proceed without the anointing.

"None have ever been born outside of the Mother's light."

"If the stars do not witness the foal, their soul shall not exist. They will be a shell, no unicorn at all".

My heart was racing, and I gazed wildly from one alarming face to another. Finally, my eyes met Margo's. Wize Margo, who was the most senior of us. I could see a deep sadness in their milky eyes.

"Stop now, you quivering goats," Margo called.

"Listen to you all, conversing about Tarrnah as though they do not sit with us. Shame on all".

Margo fixed their gaze at me.

"Tarrnah, where is your mate," they asked.

I dropped my head low, touching my horn upon my ankle. The universal signal of mourning.

"I see." Margo said solemnly, "I am sorry. Who was your mate"?

"It was Lanette," I stated.

There was another round of gasps and muttering. Lanette was well known to the herd. When the dragons first came, and Mother Moon was still alive, Lanette and three other warriors slew a dragon in the early days, when we still fought to drive them back. Lanette was the last of the warriors, except for Razdeh, who disappeared long ago.

Margo said, "The foal's fate is Tarrnah's to decide, as it always has been for Unicorns. They can either keep the foal or pass it along by eating from the nightshade field before the birthing place".

"What if the foal is not passed along"? Someone cried out. I could not see who spoke.

"Yes! Noone has been pregnant in all this time. What if Tarrnah is the only one and none can take in the foal's spirit to be born"? I recognized the voice of Varsit.

"And even so, if Tarrnah passes it along, shouldn't all others? If the reason for passing in the first place is because the foal cannot be blessed by the Mother? Then none should have it."

“How do we even know there would be a problem with the foal? This is just superstition. Tarrnah should have the colt. I'd say it is their duty". That was Patton.

I gapped. I hadn't thought of the foal in such a way. My mind was running with a thousand confusing fears. What if they are correct, and the foal is born wrong. But then shouldn't I have it, then we can see what can come of it either way? I looked back to Margo, whose expression did not comfort me.

"There was a foal once," Said Opan, "Margo, you witnessed its birth. You know what it was".

Margo looked to Opan, then around the cave, meeting the questioning eyes of the rest.

"It is true. There was one foal born shortly after the Moon died. It was the foal of Parlz, who was pregnant just before the light of Mother Moon left us. That foal was born", She paused, "Parlz foal was born with two horns, one in the place of all others and one behind it. The foal otherwise was strong and like any other ever created".

There were gasps of horror which seemed to reverberate through the dancing fire light.

"You understand, Tarrnah, you cannot keep this foal," Opan said sternly.

Nirra pressed themself against me to help stop my fearful shivering "oh no, Tarrnah." they whispered.

"Silence"! Shouted Margo. "That is quite enough."

Margo stared around, making eye contact with each Unicorn who was still jabbering until there was all around silence.

"As I said, the foal, while appearing different, was healthy. It lived for quite some time. It might still be alive, actually. Parlz named it Mazah. They used to live alone near the wailing tunnels. However, I have heard they were both taken by the dragons since. There was otherize nothing amiss with young Mazah.

"You are only telling part truth, Margo"! Said Opan.

Margo turned to face Opan as if daring them to go on. Go on, Opan did.

"If you are going to convince Tarrnah to have the foal, you must give all the story so they can choose with the truth."

Margo dropped their gaze and went on.

"Mazah also had other oddities, but none that are so odd to us now."

"Yes, go on, Margo," I said earnestly.

"Mazah's front horn did not shine like a foal's is supposed to, but none of ours do now. Also, the child was born without magic. At the time, Unicorns still had our magic, waning, but still present in us".

"A horse with two horns, Margo. Not a Unicorn." Said Opan.

Opan went on, "Parlz was devastated after the foal was born. The creature was wild and unruly Parlz could not teach it anything. It never spoke, not even after years. It ran about their home as though it were truly a horse".

Margo hung their head.

"It is true, but Parlz loved the little foal, and the two were happy together until they were both gone. Mazah's body was not found after the attack. We only came across Parlz remains. Dragons tore away the horn and hooves, of course". Margo said.

"But the scene showed there had been a fight long after the death of Parlz, hadn't there." Said a voice from the mouth of the cave.

All heads turned towards the voice. In the mouth stood the silhouetted of the largest Unicorn I had ever seen. Its horn glittered in the firelight and seemed to come to a point sharp as a cut stone. A massive set of wings protruded from the stranger's shoulders. There was another round of gasps and shrill cries of fright and amazement. The winged Unicorn stepped inside and began striding toward me.

"No, it can't be," Margo whispered. " Razdeh"?

"The same," Said Razdeh. They had a deep quiet voice, like distant thunder.

Now among the cries of fright, there came whinnies and all-out nickering of joy.

"Yes, it is wonderful to see you all again. I am not here for a reunion". Razdeh growled. "I heard all that has been said."

Opan said, "Then you know that Tarrnah cannot keep the foal."

Margo cried, "The foal is no threat. Tarrnah can keep it if they want to. It is up to Tarrnah only."

"We cannot support Tarnnah's foal if it is a wild horse! Should we all perish trying to keep it tame"? Opan yelled.

Razdeh said, "Yes, that is our way, Tarrnah, mate of my friend Lanette. Keep your foal and brave life alone caring for a wild animal, or pass it along to no one they tell you. There is another choice". Razdeh continued their long strides before us, and it was only when they came up against Nirra and Opan, pushing between them, that the wings protruding from Razdeh's shoulders moved in a graceful motion and a massive owl rose from their back. There was an intake of surprise and amazement.

"It was a bird!" Someone cried.

"An owl! I remember", said another. "Razdeh, where did you find it? Why do you travel with an owl"?

I found myself also watching the magnificent owl as it flew across the cave ceiling, seeking a perch. There have been very few creatures in the Valley and even fewer birds. The dragons like to make sport of chasing and killing them. It is nearly as brutal as the murder of Unicorns. None had seen any kind of bird for almost a hundred turns. We had hoped they all flew away to freedom.

"Never mind the Owl," Cried Razdeh, "You're all a bunch of mewling goats. Shut up". Razdeh hollard and their voice echoed through the cave. “Tarrnah, there is a third choice, shall I tell you?" Razdeh's tone was low and rumbling again, kind.

"Yes," I whispered.

"There is a path out of the valley, past the birthing place, and to the North. It is a cavern between the mountains".

I stared confusedly, "but why"? I asked

"I have been on the outside of the Valley, not far, only a few feet, where I have meetings with creatures who live beyond the mountains that contain us. Plants still grow tall and green there. It is rumored that if you keep North, the Father Sun still holds some light, that in one part of the Earth, it is eternal twilight where not all the stars are dead, and a little farther on, the Father is trapped in eternal sunset”.

The silence within the cave was so complete that it seemed the fire did not dare even to crackle. All were staring open-mouthed at Razdeh as though they were mad.

"I know the Father is not the Mother, but many believe that the two get their light from one source, or even that it is the Sun who gave his light to Mother Moon. Either way, it is the same light that blessed us. The Father can bless your foal. You must believe it."

I stammered, "How, how can you believe this? The Mother and her children are dead. The Mother blesses us. How can the Father have the same light?

Margo finally spoke, "I too have heard the belief of other creatures, that there are many who worship the Father Sun and not the Moon at all. But Razdeh, surely you cannot think that Tarrnah can go out of the Valley even if they were not with foal. How can anyone make it to the caverns? Why do you believe the Sun still lives?

Razdeh said, "look around you. Not all plants and animals are dead. They need sunlight to live. The Sun must still be alive. And I have seen small living plants, new growth on the edge of the cavern where I have stood. I have seen new life. The Sun must still be alive and able to give his blessings".

Opan said, Ok, but how do you know the Sun is still set as you said? You have not seen this yourself". "No, I have not seen it." said Razdeh. "The owl has, though, and the owl has heard the voices of other birds who flock before the Sun still.

"The owl"? Asked Opan doubtfully. "You, you can speak to the owl"?

"All of the creatures speak, you fools," Growled Razdeh, "If you take a moment to stop admiring your own reflections, you'd have realized that setting ourselves in alignment with the others will help keep us alive. The owl speaks and is my companion. He is not lying".

"He"? Everyone muttered again. "Only the Father is a He."

Morgo spoke, "You have been gone so long, Razdeh. We mourned for you, and I will weep soon with the joy of finding you alive. Truly you are our last Warrior. You have learned so much that we don't know. I fear that you must have gained Wizdom beyond my own".

Everyone whinnied their agreement, even Opan.

"Tarrnah, you have three choices now. You can go to the nightshade field and pass along the foal. You will return home to your pod, who loves you. You can go onto the birthplace and have your foal, but I am afraid that Opan is right. We cannot help you with your foal if it is born not a Unicorn but a wild horse with a horn. Or, you can venture north to the cavern and seek the blessing of Father Sun. Maybe that will be enough to make your foal a Unicorn".

"I don't, I don't know." I wailed and swung my head so low that sparks sprung between my horn and the stone floor. I began to sob. Suddenly the café of Opan came before me as they dropped their head beside my own.

"You don't have to choose now, Tarrnah. We are with you, and I am sorry. I miss Lanette too. I know they would be a comfort to us all now. It would be Lanette who accompanies you to the fields or birthing place. We will not leave you to go alone". Opan raised their head. I felt their long mane brush my shoulder as they turned away. Opan called out, " Tarrnah is free to choose these paths. Lanette is gone and cannot accompany Tarrnah to give birth or pass the foal along. Therefore we will accompany Tarrnah and the foal. Our strongest five will go as far as the fields or birthing place and accompany Tarrnah home or to a safe place to raise the foal in peace. But I will not ask Unicorns to leave the Valley searching for the Sun's blessing. If Tarrnah chooses this path, they go alone. We cannot risk any lives on a rumor and hope. I am sorry, Tarrnah".

"I will go with Tarrnah to find the Sunlight if that is the choice they make ."Said Rzdeh, "I am not part of the herd, and until an hour ago, I was thought dead my number is not counted to our population. I declare myself rogue".

Opan said, "Margo, is this agreeable"?

Margo nodded and asked, "Do any of our pod leaders oppose it?"

None spoke up.

"We will end our council. The pod leaders will meet to select one from each of the pods. We will announce our selections after we have all eaten and rested. Now, all of you gather around each other, drink from the spring, and be together. It has been so long since we have seen our friends and been as a herd".

"Listen for our call when we reconvene," Called Opan as the other unicorns began to rise from their places and the chatter rose.

In the shuffle, I snuck away to the nook where Lanette and I used to live together. I watched passively as the pod leaders began to make their way to the inner chamber for their more private meeting. They would select the best of us. Some of them would surely not make the trip back. The very last of our best. I am making us weaker. I thought in despair, I will help drive my people to the end of our eternity. I dropped my head from the shame in my heart. I was a silly goat for thinking a foal was good news, a blessing. I and my foal will be the end of us. I still have to choose what to do. Should I keep the foal and live isolated from my people? Will it really be a wild animal? I can't stand the thought of passing it along, knowing no one will take the soul to be born to someone else. Also, it is Lanette’s foal, the last Warrior, or was the last.

“Tarrnah”? Said a deep voice from behind me. “Mate of my friend, may I sit with you”? Razdeh’s voice was again the low rumble of distant thunder.

“Razdeh, the first love of my mate. Do you bring soothing rain or just the howling wind?

“You know,” Said Razdeh.

“Lanette and I shared all our secrets together, Razdeh, you were their first love, I the last. Yes, please come sit with me”.