In the Valley of Jinn.

There weren't always dragons in the Valley…You see, for thousands of years, we creatures were surely those made of fire. Some of us giants, some the size of regular humans, some would be in the form of animals as small as cats.

To the outside world, we were known as Jinns, we were feared, others wouldn’t dare to utter words about us, out of fear we would follow them home and watch them sleep from the dark corner of their rooms. We were the rulers of the supernatural realm, until one day a man named Solomon proposed a deal we just couldn’t refuse…

One night, the stars were out, the waves were as still as stone and not a single breeze blew. Everything was silent, except for the crackling of fire us Jinns had within our chests.

An average looking man, with emerald green eyes, a long beard and glistening thick hair stood at the very edge of our valley. Humans cannot see our world, but we can see them. This man smelled of sandalwood…it circled the area.

After a moment of slowly pacing with his hands behind his back, as if he were in deep thought, the man stopped and looked directly at me. “I am, King Solomon. I see you Jinn, I see your wonderful valley. It’s alluring. Catches the eye” He said with a deep, authoritative tone, followed by a wink.

“Why are you here? How can you see us?” I said back, resting a plate of sweets down on the stone step beside me.

“I possess a power of which you do not know of, just yet. You are creatures of fire, of strength. I admire you so…I can endow you magic, beyond your wildest dreams. I can also grant you immortality, to ensure a never ending reign.” He replied, resting his weight on a golden staff in his left hand.

I looked around me, as every jinn in the valley listened with embers dancing in their eyes. Enticed, I asked. “I am speaking for my community, why do you grant us this power? What is it that you want from us?

He smiled, “I simply want one exquisite palace in your realm in which I may visit as I wish. I am a King, I rule many. I do not wish to rule your kind Jinn, but what kind of king am I if I don’t have a palace here, in your world?”

I smiled, looking at the rest of the jinn behind me, we all thought the same thing. We’re getting the better end of the deal, infinite power and immortality for a palace no human will ever see. “King” Solomon must have been able to see us because he could have been a warlock…one of those other magic kinds.

“I must tell you, if I am displeased with my palace, our deal mustn’t go further. I expect gold, that cannot melt with fire. I want foundations, strong enough even a dragon wouldn’t be able to destroy the walls of my palace. I require small passage ways, adjusted to my height and width, nothing larger. And a mote…surrounding my palace completely. Everything else, I shall take care of.” Solomon said with a smirk on his face, flitting his eyes from jinn to jinn, almost as if he were counting us.

“We accept” I shouted everyone behind me laughed, and so did Solomon, he banged his gold staff three times, and disappeared.

“Who does this man think he is? We can make this palace for this foolish king and continue with our lives. A simple palace for such a bountiful exchange. Nothing can go wrong.” I picked up my plate of sweets and walked away. The smell of sandalwood lingered in the air, and never left the valley of jinns.