Dragons of The Valley

“There weren't always dragons in the Valley. In fact before the great treaty of Dagalman such creatures would be murdered on sight, were they to breach a single inch into our land. No violators were spared, not even those seeking refuge from their own tyrannous leader.``

“It was a dark and bloody stain on the history of our heritage. It is a shameful burden we must all bear now even hundreds of generations later. It is the price for thoughtlessly and blindly following lunatic kings and lords into pointless battles of pride and greed.”

“The peace we now know today is only thanks to the grace and wisdom of our great Lord Dagalman, the then prince of the dragons. He made the grievous sacrifice of slaying his own father and then presenting himself to our people as retribution for the dragons’ heinous actions against mankind, had we all acted in vengeance against him. The war would possibly have raged on to this day.”

“Though our own leaders were too blind by their own ambition to accept it. Our people however, saw the virtue in Dagalman’s actions. The great Esha. Leader of Lore Valley's military forces saw the potential for our friendship and refused to deliver Dagalman to our kings. He raised together an army with Dagalman and his people to join forces along side our own valley men. With the aid of the dragons, we’d overthrown our evil dictators and forged a new kingdom for us all.”

“This is how we are able to live side by side with dragons of all kinds, even the feral ones. The actions of those two men paved the road to our freedom from Eternal conflict, by creating relationships and bonds between our people of immeasurable strength.” The Grand Master's voice was loud and booming yet somehow soothing to the ears of his two disciples, a pair of teenage boys. One a slim figured dragon, the other a more masculine human.

“But Uncle, what does this have to do with Tova not having any magic of his own? Peace or not, he’s a broken dragon who can’t cast spells! I wasn’t being mean when I said he was useless to me! I was being honest! I should be given a more reliable partner!” The human boy was the first to speak up. His determination burned brightly through his firefly green eye, and his muscles tensed as he readied himself for an answer he knew he would not like.

“Heheh, young Marcus, I told you this story to encourage you to find it in your heart to be kind to Tova. In spite of his disposition he is still a dragon and our people have fought hard for the peace between us. It would be a dishonor to your ancestors to not try to get along with one another."

“Besides, His purpose as your partner is not to be your tool. We pair ourselves with dragon partners to assure that our bounds that keep our lives fruitful and peaceful, will never fade. It is a very important responsibility that you have both been chosen for.” The Elder placed his large and gentle hand upon the boy’s shoulder. Though the boy immediately shrugged it away in frustration. With a sigh, he leaned against the desk behind him. Keeping his hazel eyes glued to the young boy.

It was part of coming of age for all young teenagers in the Valley. To take part in the choosing ritual. Where they were chosen to be either the human or dragon counterpart of a fresh new pair of dragon knights. These knights would then go through vigorous training in order to both strengthen their bond, and have the skills they needed to keep the Valley safe. Thus they would fulfill the contract made long ago in Dagalman’s treaty.

“Are you sure the tranquil star hasn't made a mistake? How come it had to be me? This feels like a punishment! None of the other dragons are so useless!” The boy was steadfast in his convictions to spite his master’s words of wisdom.

“Marcus, the Tranquil star is a magical artifact far beyond our understanding. Its guidance does not have room for mistakes. It only shines on those who are worthy of the pairing. It has never touched an unworthy soul. This is yet another reason for you to have more faith in Tova.” The old man tried to sympathize with his student. However the boy was not hearing it, and his long red hair whipped behind him as he left in a huff.

“Maybe he’s right. The star has never picked a dragon without magic before. I don’t think there is another dragon without magic alive. I’m defective and should not have participated in the choosing.” Tova, who’d sat silently through the argument. Spoke softly and quietly, with his glistening eyes cast to the ground.

“Hmm, that’s not entirely true my dear, Tova. In fact your lack of magic might indeed make you more special than you think. You see, there was another dragon in our history other than yourself with no magic. The great Dagalman himself also had no magic. Consider all of the great things he has accomplished with no mana to speak of.” The elder grasped the young boy’s pale chin gently, and lifted his head to give the boy an encouraging look.

The tears that had been welling up around Tova’s golden eyes finally poured over onto his cheeks. With a pained gasp he squeezed his eyes closed to try and stop the tears flow and dove toward the Elder’s large frame. Instinctively he caught the young boy in a comforting embrace. Then gently gave his back a few pats.

After a moment of silence the two partnered. Then the Elder took a small handkerchief from inside one of the long flowing sleeves of his robe and handed it to the boy. He gladly accepted it and carefully wiped the dampness from his face.

“I feel I am missing more strengths than just magic, though your encouragement has given me a bit of hope. Thank you, Elder.” Tova said with a small grin as he pushed a small strand of his metallic gold hair behind one of his pointed ears.

“Atta-boy! It gives me more piece of mind than you will ever know. Knowing that you are the whelp who is paired with my nephew. With any luck, your good manners and patients will rub off on him. I look forward to seeing the two of you help each other grow into fine young men!” The elder beamed with pride as he spoke. Removing all doubt from the merit of his words.

“You have more confidence in me than I think I deserve, Elder. However, I will try with everything I am to carry on your hopes for us.” Tova gave a small bow as he spoke, and headed toward the door.

“That’s because you still need to build your self confidence. Once Marcus gets over his current tantrum, I’m sure he’ll be able to help you fix that.” The Elder proclaimed, causing Tova to turn back to face him.

“Ah, he is quite a charismatic fellow. At least when he’s not angry. Sorry for bothering you so late at night. I’ll take my leave, so you may be at peace.” Tova couldn’t help but to catch the warmth that the elder always seemed to radiate. He gave one more warm smile to the elder for lifting his spirits before facing the door.

“Oh, think nothing of it. You’re young, and young men will quarrel. You aren’t the first pair of dragon knights to bring me their troubles. Nor will you be the last.”

“Now I suggest you get to bed soon. The girls’ choosing ceremony starts early tomorrow and you’ll need to be alert if you plan to carry out your mission to guard them. Think of it as an opportunity on your road to prove Marcus wrong about you.” The elder reminded him and waved his hand in the air to quicken his departure.

“Oh, yes sir! I will! Oh, and goodnight, Grand Elder!” Tova belted before spring through the door of the elder’s lodging. He could faintly hear the elder return his goodnight wishes as he stepped forward into the cool night air.

Once his feet touched the golden kissed grass that covered the lodging area. He stopped to take in a long breath as he looked up at the sky. As usual, the dark navy sky was clear, and filled with twinkling lights for as far as the eye could see. He remembered the elder told him these lights were called stars, and were the souls of dragon knights from times past. It made him wonder if each twinkle was one of the old knights laughing at him. A dragon that had so little magic That he couldn’t even turn into his more natural form. Or maybe they were scoffing at him. Lamenting how he would have been better off being born a human instead.

With a hefty sigh he pushed those thoughts aside, and continued on to his own lodging. It was a small little hut in comparison to the Elders lodge. A dwelling built with his own hands, as was the tradition for all new dragon knights. The tradition was meant to remind them to be humble and resourceful. It stood but a brisk walk from the Elder’s own dwelling. A sturdy but small log hut. It was constructed of Lura wood logs. A soft yet sturdy tree, who’s bark was easy to peel.

Though the wood’s usual appearance was a bright light blond color. The hut itself was a darkened charred brown color from Tova carefully flame treating the logs. Then he covered them in a waterproof lacquer after constructing the outer shell. The other knights often called it the fuzzy black box due to both the dark color and the Wolf Viper leather he’d used to make the roof more rain resistant.

Wolf Vipers were large, and more easily slain than most other creatures of its species. Hair like quills covered their bodies among their regular scales. This usually gave them an appearance of giant fluffy cobras. Fortunately, this also made them slow moving ambush predators that were easy to capture. Since its quills repelled any water that touched them, it was an easy choice for Tova to use the leather to cover his roofing. Even if it did look quite odd at first glance.

Inside the hut complimented the same simplicity as its outward appearance. It was just a small square space with no windows to the outside, with a handful of furniture pieces. It included a small makeshift bed, a night stand made of a sectioned off log piece, and a wardrobe that consisted of some thick Lura branches fashioned together in a cube shape. The only other things of note were a glass box filled with sparkling blue Mana crystals for lighting, and a large and rare sheet of light blue Wolf Viper leather used as a blanket on top the stacked up bedrolls he used as a bed.

After a glance around the room, and seeing that everything was in its place. Tova gave the glass box a tap to deactivate the crystals inside. To stop their glow. Then he slipped under the viper leather, and into the bed.

Tomorrow he’d perform his first mission as a Dragon Knight. Since he’d be standing guard around the chosen as they received their blessing as a newly paired dragon knight. It wasn’t much of a job because the ceremony was never a dangerous affair in the past. Though it was considered a very honorable and prestigious position as a dragon knight.

Tova wasn’t even sure how he’d gotten such a task. He wasn’t a noble nor was he considered a person of importance. He had a deep suspicion that perhaps the Elder had taken some liberties to get him the role. He did seem to have a fondness for Tova, even before he was paired with his nephew. He was still very unsure as to what made his master attached to him compared to all the other young hopefuls in the valley. The question danced around in his head, while his tired eyes traced the barely visible outline of the logs that made up his ceiling, until the blackness of the night enveloped his very consciousness.

The next morning almost seemed to jolt by him as a hazy blur. He could only faintly recall the morning horn bellow that stirred him from the darkness of sleep. Then without a single thought he prepared himself for the day ahead with a light meal eaten, and proper garments and armor adorned. He made his way to his station to wait for further orders. It was as if he were on auto pilot, and had done this all his life.

Tova seemed to wake from his blank state only after being beckoned from his space outside the ceremony chamber door, and into the building itself. It was a large open circular space with walls of pearl white marble and golden trim. These walls were breached by four balconies that hung high above the rest of the room, and closed in by more marble railing. A less extravagant cream colored marble stretched across the vast floor that slowly dipped toward the middle of the room in vastly spaced, rounded stair steps like tree rings.

In the middle of the room on the bottom floor stood a small featureless pedestal, only a few feet or so in height. Atop it sat the fabled Tranquil Star, a magnificent opal-like gem faceted in a simple gold horseshoe link structure, that curled and waved around the shining plumb sized gem like golden clouds around a shimmering iridescent moon. A dragon priest stood beside it. His gold and shimmering white robes were dull and lackluster against the gem’s sheer beauty.

As he entered the magnificent room Tova immediately caught the eye of the dragon priest, who was more than happy to beckon him over to his side. The man gave him a warm smile though his long gray beard, then a hefty, but reassuring pat on the back. He gently ushered him into place on the left side of the altar, without speaking a single word. Tova was used to this. Dragon priests were usually dragons who’d never received a partner, but were still called forth during the choosing ceremony. Because of this, it was believed they were specifically picked to be partners for the artifact itself, and thus vowed their voices to speak only of its will. No other time would words pass through their holy lips.

Tova waited obediently in his place while slowly but surely, all the others poured into the building. It seemed like a matter of moments before the balcony was filled with onlookers, and the floor was hidden in a sea of young women hoping to have the tranquil star’s light shine upon them in the ceremony. Even a handful of feral dragons gathered among the edges of the room. No doubt hoping to at the very least be picked as lesser dragon priests themselves.

Tova felt sorry for the Feral dragons. He felt that they suffered an even worse fate than he himself did. They couldn’t take a humanoid form. They were considered barely higher than common animals. In spite of the fact that at least some of them were quite smart, and could even speak in small sentences and cast spells. Most of them were too large to even enter the ceremony chambers. Even if they were able to be there the Tranquil Star almost never chose them, and none had ever been chosen for a human partner.

Suddenly without any warning, the Tranquil Star sprang to life and began to glow. Slowly it gently rocked back and forth until it lifted into the air above its pedestal. This was the signal that it was pleased with the gathering, and the choosing could begin.

The Priest stepped forward, and cleared his throat in an absurdly loud way at the crowd. Any idle chatter or murmuring amongst the crowd stopped instantly, with all eyes now on him. The priest then clasped his hands together in front of his chest, and gave a respectful bow. As he stood upright he heaved a deep breath and let it seep out, still not uttering a single word.

“Welcome children. You desire to continue our sacred contract has been heard. You will again be blessed by the light of our forefathers, to uphold peace and tranquility among our peoples. For now and for all time that may come. Should you feel the grace of the light warm your skin, remove yourself from the masses, and come forth to accept your partner in knighthood. Be not afraid, for it is a joyous occasion to receive such a grand blessing.” A masculine voice rang out proudly across the building.

Suddenly the glow from the star grew brighter, almost blinding. Tova was forced to squint his eyes in order to still see. Just as he’d gotten accustomed to it, a new light flashed from the crowd. Then it slowly parted for a young human girl who herself was now lightly aglow. She stepped up to the dragon priest and took one of his hands in her own, standing in waiting beside him. Moments later another light flashed, and a dragon girl stepped forward, taking the priest’s other hand.

The priest pulled the two girls’ grasped hands above their heads, and joined them together in front of himself. The light around their raised wrists grew brighter, and sparkled until a thin dark line appeared curled around both of their wrists. Once that was over, the glow around them faded and the dragon priest let them lower their arms once again. The crowd burst into celebration and applauded. With a nod of the Priest's head, the crowd grew quiet once more.

“Rama Dosava and Lori Patchwa, you are now partners of dragon and human. Bound together to help and assist each other in life. May you never falter in serving our people diligently. Shall no bond between you be greater, save your husbands, wives, and offspring. Should this bond you break, the light of our people shall never shine upon your soul again.” The priest’s booming voice once again echoed through the room. The two girls nodded at him in understanding, and left the altar's space back into the crowd while still holding each other’s hands.

Afterwards the next few couples came and went, each doing the same as the first. Tova was so preoccupied with gazing down at his own mark that he didn’t pay attention to dragon priests, or any of the other names that were announced. Midway through the ceremony the impossible happened, the crowd was suddenly laden with gasps and mummers of gossip. Catching Tova’s attention, a human girl was currently waiting for her dragon partner to appear from the crowd. Her light blue eyes timidly scanned the crowd for her partner under a long main of flat straight hair. Her small frame even seemed to quiver a bit as she stood there, making it very obvious that she didn’t really want to be there.

Her eyes settled on something very close to the floor, which drew his own eyes to what had caused such a disruption in the crowd around them. There, walking toward them, was a deep scarlet dragon that was roughly the size of a small house cat. She looked even more nervous than her human counterpart, embarrassed even. Her steps were careful, and her emerald green eyes gazed heavily toward the priest with a look of pure bewilderment.

The priest himself seemed completely unphased by this. As she grew near, he crouched down with his free hand cupped upward for her to hop atop. She stared at it for a moment before awkwardly perching herself upon his palm. Surprisingly, he was able to lift her up with relative ease and held her up to the human girl’s hand. Without needing to be prompted the small dragonet placed her front paws in the girl’s trembling hand and the priest went about the same speech as he’d previously done with the others.

Just as he’d finished speaking, another light cast itself over the group. Unlike all the other lights, this one had a soft pink hue. It caused Tova to blink in confusion, because this new pink glow was coming from him. Such a thing had never happened before and Tova had no idea what it all meant.

Angry cries of foul play and tampering rang through the air along with a slew of other nasty accusations toward him and the dragon knight pairing. Tova clung fearfully to the ceremonial spear he’d been holding onto since he’d left his hut that morning.

Luckily, he was pushed back into focus by something warm and soft, slamming into his leg. He looked down, surprised to find the human girl clumped on the floor and pressed against his leg with the tiny feral dragon clutched in her arms. Now he could feel her harsh breathing and tensed muscles against him, and he knew she wasn’t just nervous anymore. She was scared.

Without thinking Tova wrapped his free arm around her and slowly managed to pull her back to her feet. She almost immediately pressed her tiny shivering body against his chest as soon as she was back on her feet. Under any other circumstance that would have been incredibly uncomfortable for Tova to deal with. However, something about how fearful she’d been struck something deep within him that made it clear he had to protect these two girls with everything he had, even if it meant going against the very people who’s respect he’d spent his whole life trying to obtain.