Rebirth of the Scales

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Why would there be? The Valley doesn’t have the luxuries a typical dragon would enjoy. There are no mines full of valuable materials to pillage. No exciting landscapes to soar over. No huge population to intimidate. Absolutely not enough animals to qualify as an appetizer.

The Valley was surrounded by geological absurdities. Jagged mountains, long deserts, patches of trees that couldn’t even be joked about as a forest. Stories were told that the Gods who made the world meant for the Valley to be protected with incredible natural defenses to keep any intruders away. But it was done in such a lazy way, that the natural defense turned out to be the longest and most boring journey anything could make.

That is what was told to Benjamin about the Valley. He had so many questions and wanted to know more about The Valley. What, if anything, lives there? On his, what he liked to call “ambassadoric expeditions”, he heard dragons returned to the Valley. Or one single dragon returned there. Or will return? Rumors are always changing. Most of the time, they turn out to be just rumors. Rarely will they turn out to be true. Benjamin thought this rumor was worth the risk of exploring.

The Lands of the Jorghan are the closest known population of the Valley. Being naturally adept at traveling, they would make the journey to The Valley in about 2 weeks. But why would they do that? What they bring back from the Valley isn’t even worth what goes into the trip needed to make it there and back again. Once a year, someone will go just to make sure it’s still there and do minor trading. Very minor. Metal for wool. That’s really it. Where the Jorghan live, it doesn’t even get cold enough to warrant clothing made from wool.

It seemed a very worthless trip.

Benjamin was intrigued by these stories he was being told about The Valley, the Remarkably Unremarkable Land. When asked to know more about Valley, the Jorghun would tilt their head at him, like a confused dog hearing a weird noise. Their heads may tilt even more if he mentioned the rumors being the real reason he wanted to know more about the Valley.

Benjamin was from a rich and powerful family that were known, respected, and feared across the lands. Most of the lands. That’s something they were still working on. That’s the main reason why Benjamin was with the Jorghan. To learn about those far beyond the normal reach of his families domain and determine if it’s really necessary to expand their influence to these distant areas.

When an area is known for being wealthy or having great resources, one of Benji’s aunts or uncles would be sent. Their size and presence got the answers, and loyalty, to the lands they were sent to. Their shadows would envelop most of the cities they would travel to, causing panic as if the sun disappeared. They wouldn’t have to do much to accomplish their goals.

Towns and Villages would have Benjamin’s siblings assigned to them. Their smaller size made it easier to get to not very accessible areas. Not that his siblings were small by any standard use of the term. They were smaller than the aunts and uncles, but far larger than any creature they would encounter. Elves in the forests, Golems in mountains, Shapeless in the caves, and Man in water towns; these were the areas and beings the siblings would go to. But not Benjamin.

Benjamin was special. That’s what his mother would tell him. He was the youngest of all siblings, and surprisingly smaller than any others his age. His scales were purple and gold, while the rest of the family had either black, red, or green scales. He had an iridescent shine when the lights would touch him in the right way. His wings had this sheen transparency that didn’t block the sun while flying. But instead changed the color as it passed through him. Benjamin never brought foreboding shadows with his arrival. He brought beams of prismatic lights beneath him that dazzled and entranced those who saw it.

His attitude and temperament matched his appearance. Kind and inquisitive. Social and loving. Any creature who has heard stories of his kind being fierce and a force to be reckoned with, would be confused upon seeing and getting to know Benjamin. The Valley was just as full of wonders as much as Benjamin was a full of ferocity.

While Benjamin was a loved member of the Boshans, he was completely in opposition of the reputation his family had. Because of this, he was sent to the farthest lands so those that feared the Boshans, wouldn’t start second guessing their feelings.

The Jorghan have heard of the Boshans from the journeys made by their traders and scholors. They didn’t care much about that at all. The Jorghan were a people of Giants. Small Giants. Remains of their ancestors were found from centuries ago. Ruins of their civilization in mountains and deserts have been scattered through the eastern part of the lands. As time went on, they grew to grow less. The scholars theorize this may be to have been to draw less attention to themselves and make traveling easier. Others believe the reduction in their size is because the larger ones were sought after from warriors and those searching for glory, slaying the largest of the Giants to prove their fighting prowess to their people.

They are still very large and intimidating. Three times the size of your adult Centaur, they tower over many. Very few creatures in the world are larger than the Jorghun, with dragons being one of them. The Jorghun are not easy to intimidate and are simple with their priorities. They value knowledge and their land. A dragon can easily kill a Jorghun when alone. A group of Jorghun though, not easily beaten. This is why the Boshans sent Benjamin.

Tarm straightened her head and looked back at Benjamin. Her deep green eyes filled with curiosity as she pondered what Benjamins intentions were with going to The Valley. Tarm started to talk, but stopped, confused about what to say next. Being the Senior at the Knowledge Hall, one would think words would come easier to her and that she wouldn’t have hesitation with someone’s eagerness to learn more.

“We do have our annual journey to the Valley coming up in several days. You’re welcome to join us for this journey across the lands.” Tarm said. “The winds are too strong to fly across. They have brough the greatest and most powerful creatures of the skies down, smashing their bones when they land. On our journeys, we have found large bones of ancient dragons, legs shattered, wings broken from attempting to make the journey by flying.”

Benjamin’s eyes widened. He never heard of this before.

Tarm continued. “Traveling by the water is also not possible. No rivers run from out here directly to the Valley. Traveling there from the seas is a dangerous trip or terrible tides and large jagged rocks ready to stop any vessel approaching.”

Disappointed, Benjamin agreed. He didn’t like walking for too long. He would need some time to prepare for this trip. “I appreciate your advice and knowledge, Tarm. I will be ready by the time the journey starts. May I please have some of your time tomorrow to go over preparations for our trip and ask more about you and your people?”

Delighted, Tarm nodded. “Of course, Master Boshan. I look forward to the time spent with you so we can learn of each other.”

“Benjamin. Just Benjamin. I will see you tomorrow.” Benjamin said before he bowed his head slightly and left the hall.

Tarm gestured back, smiling with eyes eager to learn more about the dragons they know surprisingly little about.

Footsteps grew louder behind her slowly. Closer they came, echoing throughout the room. Tarm scowled, and glanced to the side, slightly turning her head. Her body grew slightly tense, preparing for who was approaching.

Stopping just outside where the light stop, a deep voice says, “Tarm, are you sure you want to bring another Dragon to the Valley? You remember what happened last time.”

Tarm closed her eyes, lowered her head. Somberly, she replied, “I know, but our time is running out. He is not like other dragons. I believe he can restore what was lost from the Valley. Either by his kindness, or his sacrifice, the Valley is about to change.”