On Dragon's Wings

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley.”

That’s the line, the one line that starts a million conversations. No matter where you are, a tavern, a street vendor’s stall or sitting around a campfire, whenever the subject of dragons comes up that’s the line everyone always starts with. But is that truly the case? I mean, how do we know there weren’t always dragons in the valley? Not like any of us can remember that far back, not that there are any living humans who were alive back then to remember. The only ones who can are the dragons themselves since they live nigh on forever; not that any of the really old ones are around and talking. Oh I’m sure they’re still alive somewhere - probably lounging about without a care in the world while the rest of us are struggling to survive til the next day.

He took a deep breath through his nose and slowly let it escape between his lips. As he did so he scratched his head of emerald green hair and looked out upon the horizon. The sun was almost completely hidden behind the mountains and light was fading fast, it wouldn’t be long until it would be dark and they’d have to find somewhere to settle down for the night. The man shook his head and tried to ignore the rumbling in his gut for it had been quite some time since they’d last eaten.

How long has it been now? At least twelve hours; but that was a really good boar. Would have loved to have more of it but SOMEONE had to smash the rest of it before I could go back for seconds; hungry bastard.

He silently glared at his companion. There was no malice in his stare for he completely understood that his friend needed to eat more than he did. Still, their relationship was full of bickering and playful banter so it was natural to glare like that. It wasn’t long before a smile formed and he shook his head again.

Anyway, where was I? Oh right, Dragons. For all we know the dragons were here long before we came around, even if they’ve only just started appearing recently. It’s been, what, two years now since they suddenly showed up? Scared the hell out of everyone too - one minute everyone is minding their own business, and the next the sky is filled with dragons! They flew over the horizon like a plague of locusts and rained fire down upon everything in sight. What wasn’t scorched and engulfed by flames or destroyed by massive dragon claws was covered in dragon shit. You’d think they hadn’t taken a dump in years with all they dropped on us.

There was not THAT much shit and you know it!

The hell there wasn’t! I had to shovel it off the street so carts could move again! You’d think you lot would have thought to poo BEFORE you flew off on a five hour journey! And I thought I told you to stay out of my head?

His friend laughed. It was a playful, melodious laugh that was contagious. It wasn’t long before he was chuckling too.

“Well I couldn’t help it. It gets boring flying for so long and my mind starts to wander. I overheard your thoughts and wanted to help you.”

She laughed again. Her voice was somewhat muffled by the wind and the beating of her wings, as they were flying pretty fast.

“Yes, well, it just doesn’t feel right. And it’s not fair, you dragons are powerful, live for hundreds of thousands of years, can fly, breathe fire or ice or what have you, AND can read minds? How broken can you get?”

He smiled wide at this comment as it was one they had talked about many times before, and he often teased her about just how strong she is. His friend was, if you hadn’t already guessed by now, a dragon. He was currently riding on her back as they sailed through the sky towards the mountains looming on the horizon.

“What can I say? Dragons are just the superior race.”

She had craned her neck to the side, looked over her shoulder at him and stuck out her big tongue.

“Uh huh.” He said grinning. “And careful with that tongue…”

At this she turned back to the horizon and even though she couldn’t blush in dragon form her cheeks were bright red on the inside.

“ANYWAY, I believe I was gathering my thoughts before I was interrupted.” He said, chuckling again.

“Yes yes, go on. I promise I won’t interject again, unless you over exaggerate again.”

“I wasn’t exaggerating!”

“Ari…” She started.

“Slyph, I’m serious, I had to shovel the street.”

There was a long, awkward silence before he spoke again.

“Ok fine, maybe it was just that street that got it so bad. But I really did have to shovel it.”

Even though he couldn’t see her face he could tell she smiled at that.

“I believe you. Now, please continue.”

Ari took another deep breath and closed his eyes as he put his thoughts back in order.

As quick as the dragons appeared they were gone again, leaving our little valley in ruins. It wasn’t long after the king’s forces showed up, a whole battalion of armored knights on horseback with spears and bows and swords and, well, you get the idea. They told us they had been chasing the dragons for days and had no idea why they would attack a settlement so far from the capital. The capital city of Alken, named after the royal family of the same name, was a good five day ride north of our valley; or five hours if you’re a dragon. They had been at war with Dragonkind for years now, ever since they, the dragons, returned from what was supposed to be eternal banishment. Of course no one actually believed the dragons had returned since none of us had ever seen a real dragon, all the fighting had been kept to the capital and the surrounding cities; but after the attack all doubt is gone.

We’ve been taught since birth about the evil of Dragonkind. How once, many moons ago, humans and dragons used to live together in harmony. Supposedly back then it was a true paradise: there was no fighting, no conflict, no one went hungry as there was more food than ever with how bountiful the land was at the time. Then one day all that changed. Apparently the dragons grew tired of sharing the land with us humans and attacked, nearly wiping us all out. But then our savior, Lord Alken the first, gathered his followers and launched a counterattack. Using some ancient weapon he managed to drive the dragons away and banish them for eternity to… somewhere. Honestly that part is up to debate. Some say he didn’t banish them but slew them all, while others say they were banished to some magical plane. Since they returned it seems like those who said he banished them had the right of it, not that anyone wants to admit it.

Anyway, the dragons were defeated and peace returned to the land, but it wasn’t the same. With the dragons gone the land withered and slowly died, the bountiful fields becoming barren wastes and deserts incapable of growing anything. It’s been that way ever since. We only survived by the grace of Lord Alken, who had stolen magic from the dragons and taught it to his followers. With that magic food and water could simply be created, and no one worried about farming or hunting or gathering. Of course back then everyone knew magic and that’s how the great capital and the founding cities were created and all was peaceful once again. If only things had stayed that way; but that’s for another time.

Now the dragons have returned and are waging war and our peaceful little valley was dragged into it because said dragons decided to take a long flight out to the middle of nowhere and shit on us. Maybe that was the reason, maybe they came out here BECAUSE they had to poo, but for some reason didn’t want to dump anywhere near the capital.

He heard Slyph chuckle in his mind.

You know that wasn’t the reason. Even if it is funny.

Well until we learn otherwise that’s what I’m going with. Either way it worked out, as if it wasn’t for that random flight, we never would have met. Still hard to believe it’s been two years.

That’s hardly the blink of an eye for me.

Yeah I know. Years are like second to you dragons. Anyway, I hope those elders of yours are right and the ancients DID live out in these mountains all those years ago.

I trust them. If they say they lived in the mountains, then that’s where they are. Or were, as it was.

Ari opened his eyes and looked out at the horizon again, watching as the mountains in the distance slowly grew closer with each beat of his friend’s mighty wings.

And I trust you. We’ll find something there, or some one, I just know it.