Reckoning

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Ever since the sky tore open in Caddo, strange things have been happening in Almoraii.

The worst part about the dragons was the disruption in trade through the Valley. Many of the trade caravans have stopped using the valley altogether, and those foolish enough to attempt the journey reach the other side battered and torn, the haunted look in their eyes a feverish warning of the ferocity of the wild beasts; if they make it to the other side at all. Isigodi Valley was the only land route to Seven Pines, and virtually all trade between Gariana and Seven Pines went through there.

My dear friends and I had an idea. If we went with a small band, and quietly made our way through the valley, perhaps we could bring some wares with us and make a handsome profit. After all, we have all the same things the dragons have; scales, claws, tails, and cunning. Spices are easy to carry and conceal, and we’ve all had our share of hunting experience. Sneaking up on a bear was easy, so why not a dragon?

Jeremy, our self-proclaimed leader, convinced our mutual friends Frazier, Teddy, and Daniel to join us. He was certain that Frazier and Daniels’s stone-grey scales would be a benefit against the valley’s backdrop, as would my dark green scales, and Teddy’s muddled brown scales. We were confident we could do the impossible and journey throu gh the valley unnoticed.

We spent nearly all our coin, certain that we would come out the other end richer. Daniel, ever the cautious one, brought his father’s plate armor, assuring us it was well-fit and as quiet as leather. After a few tests, we were convinced he was mostly right. The rest of us donned leather and cloaks with a mix of colors from the valley. We each carried our bows but left the rest of our packs to carry spices and a few day’s rations for the journey.

Headstrong and arrogant, we ventured into the Valley certain that we would be the exception; we were wrong. Being descended from dragons, we hoped that these dragons wouldn’t hunt us and instead see us as one of them, hoping our lineage would mask our scent. Halfway through the valley, we saw it; our first dragon. A beautiful beast with brilliant, dark viridian scales and eyes like the sun, easily 20 cubits from snout to tail. It crawled along the rocky valley face, its monstrous claws scratching the surface with a subtle but chilling screech. At first, we all looked on in awe at its majesty – then it made eye contact. It moved like lightning, taking flight, and closing distance as fast as we could draw our bows. The smell of fresh blood and old flesh overwhelmed us at once, the smell alone enough to sicken an able-bodied warrior. Jeremy was taken immediately, the dragon’s claws ripping through his leather jerkin like a pickaxe through soft dirt, crimson trails seeping from the clutched dragon’s claws, and he was flown high into the air. Through the haze and beating wings, I could see the horror frozen on Jeremy’s features. We took aim and fired a volley of arrows, the loosed bow strings barely audible over the powerful flapping of the dragon’s wings, but the beast moved with such ease in the air we never came close. It dropped Jeremy, the loud thud of his landing ringing in the valley, presumably to soften him up before making him its next meal. The dragon’s swift descent to retrieve him was met with muffled, weak cries for help. The dragon rose in the air again, making a victorious roar as it left the valley. We knew that more dragons were likely to come and see what that one had left behind; we didn’t stick around to find out.

The old stories paint a very different picture of dragons. The Elementals were the creation of UR and KOR, and created all that we know, the world and the stars, the sun in the sky and the oceans surrounding land, and even the wind. But these new dragons are… feral. Almost as if they were stricken with the Hunger, but they show none of the normal signs of succumbing to the Hunger. They are just… wild beasts, majestic and daunting, but wild, nonetheless.

It took us another two days to get through the Valley, moving nonstop and as quietly as possible. Every stick and dry leaf became our enemy, a bandit in the night to steal our seclusion and reveal us to the monsters we’ve encountered. We dared not eat, for fear of the attention even our stale rations may bring. We longed for the rations, though just a day earlier we complained jovially about the taste and texture, which was most accurately described as ‘dry wood and sawdust’. The night was deadly quiet; no birds, rodents, or insects making a sound for fear of attracting the wrong attention, just as we did.

Silently we continued, weariness settling upon us swiftly on the second night. Daniel missed his footing on a winding trail, slipping down the rock face in a cacophony of steel plates against the stones. Teddy, in a moment of weakness, cried out to his fallen friend, but it was clear on both of their faces that they knew what was to come next. It was only moments later that three more dragons revealed themselves, hidden amongst the trees a short way away, waiting for some poor creature to make a mistake. Daniel, as courageous as ever, jumped farther down the valley, making a considerable amount of noise, and drawing the hunters away from us. I held Teddy close, my hand over his maw as he wept, knowing his dear friend was gone. We were safe, but we could hear his screams in the distance, the last thing keeping us safe in this hell we had walked into.

Finally, as the day began to break on the morn of the third day, we could see the end of the valley. Frazier, from a combination of exhaustion and hysteria, began to run towards it as a person dying of thirst would run to water. I reached out for him, but Teddy grabbed my arm and pulled me down, just in time to see Frazier being flown off in the distance.

Teddy and I continued, slowly and silently. In any other situation, it would’ve been a peaceful journey. The trees in this part of the world were larger than anywhere we came from, standing over 20 cubits long at their shortest, gentle giants protecting us from the beating sun. The wind gently flowing through the trees was the only sound, the rustling of leaves a gentle serenade of true tranquility. The thick moss on the trees met us with a pleasant aroma, earthy and reminiscent of the woods of our youth after a gentle rain. Were it not for the imminent danger we believed to be behind every corner, every bush, and every tree, this would’ve been one of the finest walks we’d ever had. Finally, we arrived at the first signs of civilization with the Rat and Raven tavern on the edge of Seven Pines City.

Teddy had remained silent after we arrived. I don’t know if it was exhaustion, dread, or woe, but I imagine it was some mix of the three. Daniel had been like a brother to him for as long as I had known him, and his death hit Teddy particularly hard. Opening the doors to the Rat and Raven, we were met first with the warm smell of fresh bread, then the cool embrace of frothy beer. It was a welcoming place, and for the first time in days, I felt safe. I went to the barkeep, a Felixi man with long calico fur and simple clothing, and ordered a loaf of fresh bread and a few beds to sleep in.

“How’re you holding up?” I asked Teddy, finally sitting down on a bed that felt like a cloud compared to the rocks we’d been sleeping on. I was met with silence and a look staring into nothing. I decided to leave him with his grief for a while.

Laying in the dark room alone with my thoughts for the first time since our friends were taken, I started to feel the weight of their loss as well. Jeremy’s death was difficult but following that I shifted into pure survival instinct. I didn’t take the time to consider their departure. Now, it all came crashing down upon me, and flashes of their life ran through my mind. I wept silently in the darkness, hoping that their souls made it to UR and KOR. Though I do not know how, eventually I drifted off to sleep.

Throughout the night my dreams were haunted by the memories of my lost comrades. I would see parts of their lives shared with mine, but it would always end the same; their last moments, played in my head as if they were happening again.

“Aeirahn, wake up.” I woke with a start; It was Teddy. He woke before me, though I could see in his eyes that he didn’t sleep much better than I did. “We should see what food is available.”

He was right of course; we hadn’t eaten in two days and had been on road rations for five days before that. I gathered my belongings and went downstairs to the main hall, where we were greeted with the smell of fresh eggs and old beer. The barkeep greeted us warmly, but the look on his face made it clear that we looked a lot like we felt.

“Interest you gentlemen in food? Eggs fresh this morning, and stew. Beer?” he asked, his accent thick. I nodded, placed two coins on the counter, and motioned to our table. He smiled, nodded, and scurried off to the back, yelling in Felixi to the kitchen. Shortly after sitting down, he came with a large toothy grin and handed us our beer. “Rough night, eh? Come through the Valley?”

“Yes – thank you, we’d rather not speak of it.” Teddy said, taking a gulp of his beer. The barkeep nodded in understanding and returned to the counter.

“We really should speak about it, though.”

Teddy looked at me sternly. “It was a foolish plan. How Jeremy talked us into going is beyond my understanding. Now we are here, without our wares, and no purpose. What are we supposed to do now?”

“Well… first we should have their last rites read. For Frazier at least, given his faith. Jeremy never much cared for religion, he always believed the Elementals were a bunch of hogwash and that Emramil was just a way to sell faith. Daniel – “ I stopped short. Saying his name caused Teddy to stare daggers at me, the pain in his eyes obvious.

After a moment, he calmed himself and rubbed his face. “Daniel would’ve wanted that, too. Barkeep?” he called to the bar. The barkeep came over and, after being asked, told us where to find a Visage of Emramil. After the barkeep left, Teddy took another drink of his beer and said, “Let us go after breakfast. We can begin forging our new path after that.”

We spent the rest of breakfast in silence. The food was well worth the coin, and we left to seek out the Visage.

The part of Seven Pines we had found ourselves in was peaceful. Few people around, save the occasional guard or merchant. Being the only Sarkany in the area, we drew a lot of attention to ourselves, but we didn’t take much notice of it. Shortly into our walk, we were welcomed with the earthy smell of incense regularly found at a temple of Emramil. The stone temple was painted green with moss, a common feature of the buildings here, and the half-moon and sun emblem of Emramil was emblazoned above the door in the traditional fashion, clean and brightly painted. Entering the temple, we were greeted with the warm embrace of the familiar smells of our homeland.

The Visage was a Felixi woman, frail and attractive, wearing the traditional garb of pale green cloth. Her silver eyes were filled with kindness and understanding, and her rust-colored fur was well kept. She smiled as we entered her humble temple, disheveled as we were, and greeted us. “Welcome faithful! Not often do we get some of the dragon-kin in these parts. Praise Emramil that you are safe, what can I do to help you?”

“We’ve just come from the Valley, “I said. She frowned in understanding. “We lost a few of our friends along the way.”

“Sad times are these.” She said sorrowfully. “Too many have lost their lives in that Valley, and too few have made it here to have any rites read for them at all. Praise be to Emramil, you are blessed for surviving. I’m sorry for your loss. What are their names?”

“Jeremy Silvermane, Frazier Johnson, and Daniel Tutt. We don’t have anything of theirs with us, just their names and our memory.” I said, grabbing Teddy by the shoulder. He was on the edge of tears but stood sternly.

The Visage nodded knowingly. “Come with me, we can begin immediately.” She led us to the small courtyard behind the temple, where there was a ring of trees circling a central pedestal topped with a water basin. She took with her three candles, one for each of our fallen comrades, lit them, and placed them around the water basin. Using the fire from the candles, she lit some sage and began walking around the water basin, chanting in Old Garian the traditional rites of passage from Emramil’s time. We did not understand the words, but we understood what they conveyed. Teddy, somber, knelt to one knee, closed his eyes, and bent his head in prayer. I stood, watching the Visage walk slowly, and watched as the water started to rise out of the basin and form a perfect orb in the air. I had seen it done before when my own father passed, but that was many years ago and it was still a miracle to watch again, in person.

The water started to glow, and as it did so too did the candles grow brighter. At the end of the ceremony, she spoke aloud each of their names, with a candle extinguishing for each one. She closed with the sacred prayer of Emramil and came to face us. Teddy still knelt, eyes closed and head down, whispering his own personal prayer. It was clear that he and Daniel were very close, closer than I had realized. He collected himself and stood, wiping a tear from his eye.

“Thank you, Visage. That was lovely.” He said, sorrow heavy in his voice.

“It’s a bleak role, but one I take seriously. Your friends’ souls have safely garnered passage to Emramil’s side with UR and KOR. May they forever be at peace.” She escorted us to the entrance of the temple and said, “Where are you off to now? If you need time to get situated in the area, you can always stay at the temple for a few days. You seem like you could use some hospitality.”

Teddy and I looked at each other, and I said, “We aren’t sure yet. I do think we’ll take you up on that offer. We came here to sell goods, hoping that our heritage would keep us safer in the Valley. We were terribly wrong of course and lost our wares along the way. So now, we’re little more than a couple of burley dragon-kin with a few coins to our name. I am Aeirahn, by the way. This is Theolandriel, we call him Teddy.”

“My name is Clouded Sky of Seven Squirrels. It’s a pleasure to serve other faithful of Emramil.”

We left the temple to walk and think. The air was heavy with recent events. Nearly everyone we encountered on our grim walk stared at us, albeit briefly, and struck us as a reminder that we were out of place. We walked for hours in silence, absorbing our surroundings, and coming to realize this was likely our new home. Everything here was foreign to us; from the people to the way they did their business, to the way they showed their allegiance to their tribes, to the way they showed their faith, it was all very different from Gariana. And it was abundantly clear that we were just as foreign to them.

In the early evening, we stopped back at the Rat and Raven to grab a bite to eat and discuss our path going forward. The tavern was bustling at this time of day, many of the local laborers stopping by for a drink to end the day. We shuffled our way to the bar to make our order and were lucky enough to get a small table near the wall.

“We came here with all these goals,” Teddy said, disheartened. “now, knowing that none are safe traveling through the Valley, what can we do? I’m not certain we have the coin to gain passage on a ship back home to Gariana, and we are in unknown territory.” It was clear on his face that he was lost.

“We could find work in town, save up some coin, and head back?” I said, hopefully. I didn’t really think it was something he would go for, but I didn’t see any other real options.

“We could do that. It may be all we can do, truly. The people here seem kind enough, at least the Visage did. I don’t know how the Felixi will treat us when we’re out of coin.” He looked troubled as if something else was bothering him. Something on his mind, something he just didn’t really know how to say out loud. “Damn these dragons.” He cursed, a look of anger and frustration on his face. “They’re nothing like the old stories. The tales of the Elementals, of the dragons who first created all Almoraii, then us, in their image. These dragons are beasts, nothing more, and powerful beasts at that.”

He slammed his fist on the table in frustration, and a quick hush fell on the tavern. He paid it no mind, and soon the noise rose again, but something was weighing heavy on his mind. “Back in Caddo, when the tear opened up the sky, something in that released these monsters.”

“Maybe,” I said, “but what can we do about it? We’re stuck in Seven Pines, Gariana may as well be on the other side of the Thrashing Sea, we can’t get to it. The mountains are deadly, and as far as we know, filled with dragons. Not to mention winter is right around the corner. Our best bet is to find some meager work and wait until spring.”

“What then? What if the dragons have migrated to the coast by then? Stay here forever, or until they reach the foothills and slaughter us here? Or go deeper into the Great Wood to the south, where all manner of beasts live waiting for a couple of morons to feast on? No. No, I don’t want to just exist here after what we’ve been through.” The intensity in his voice and look was being noticed by the nearby patrons, and the barkeep approached, the same Felixi man from earlier.

“Gentlemen, perhaps I can get you something to go?” It was a polite way to ask us to leave. I looked at the barkeep, his face held in a false smile. I apologized, we gathered our belongings and departed.

“Teddy… I don’t know what we need to do, but I know that we need some time to process it before making any decisions.” Teddy continued walking forward, eyes steady and stoic.

After a time, he sighed and said, “You’re right. This has been a difficult set of days. Let’s go back to the temple and retire for the evening. I’m in no mind to think about what’s yet to come.”

Arriving at the temple, Clouded Sky was preparing for evening services. As she toiled, I asked, “Are there many Emramil Faithful in Seven Pines, Visage?”

She turned and smiled wide, saying, “No, not but a few. Naturally, most people here pray solely to Sifa the Great Wolf. She is our patron, after all. There are few who pray to Emramil, only those of the Seven Squirrels tribe, and of those still few. Though, in the last weeks I’ve seen more lost souls in attendance at services. Many see the dragons in the valley as a sign of Emramil’s return, and thus, a return of the Elementals.”

“They must know very little of the Elementals, then.” Scoffed Teddy, visibly disgusted at the news. “These dragons are nothing like the Elementals, nothing like Emramil described in his writings. These are feral beasts and should be put down as such.” His eyes narrowed, directing his anger at the Visage and her dispassionate take on the situation in the valley.

She looked at Teddy with brief surprise and sudden calm. “I’m sorry – I should have chosen my words more wisely. But it is true. Some, those not directly affected by it, see this as a sign. It’s easy to see miracles when you’re looking for them. I don’t know what’s brought them here, but they are here, and the only dragons we know are the ones who created everything, praised be their names.” She put down the items she was arranging and walked over to Teddy, who was still showing signs of anger. “Don’t hold it against those who are looking for their gods. These are trying times, even without the sudden appearance of dragons.” She clasped his hand, and he appeared to calm down.

Teddy looked over at me, snorted, and said, “I’m off to bed. Thank you, Visage, for the hospitality.” He left the room, still clearly disturbed, but healing.

We watched him leave, and when he was out of sight the Visage turned to me and said, “He’s taking the loss of your friends very hard.”

“He is. I don’t know what we are going to do to survive here, but we thank you whole-heartedly for your generosity.”

“Well… I have a thought on that. As I mentioned, many believe the appearance of the dragons is a sign. Admittedly, I feel the same. These dragons didn’t just appear from dust, they came from somewhere. There is an old legend of Emramil that talks of winged heralds sent to bring about the end of times. There are no descriptions of the heralds, only that they will come swiftly and suddenly, and following them will be a great and terrible evil that will sweep the land, cleansing it of wretched light, leaving only the purity of darkness in its wake.” Her eyes closed, a look of fear on her face. “It is written that none can stop it. I’ve contacted the Elder Visage in Caddo, and he believes that this is nothing more than a natural phenomenon and coincidence and that those old tales from the Gariamicon are nothing more than stories to scare children. But, in my soul, I believe them. In my heart, I know that this is only the beginning.”

I looked at the Visage curiously. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I want to know for sure, and that I want to be able to get word to those who can do something about it soon, if I’m right. I’m going into the Valley. And I could use some help.”

The weight of what she had just said to me crashed into me like a wave; did she want us to go back to the valley? To face these dragons, again?

She put her hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes. “You know how to survive there. It wasn’t luck that saved you in the valley, Aeirahn. It was skill, cunning, and more importantly, a little help from Emramil himself. I need to know what brought them here. And I need you to help me.”

I was shocked at what she was saying. How could she expect us to go back, after what we had been through?

“I’ll go.”

It was Teddy, standing back in the doorway. I don’t know how long he had been standing there, but as he leaned on the door jamb it was obvious that he was deadly serious.

“You can’t be serious!” I exclaimed, surprised at how easily he volunteered.

“I’ll go. I want to go. If I die, so be it. But I agree with you Visage.” He stood straight, walking into the room. “Someone must do something. Nobody seems to want to take the first steps, so I will. I’ll go.”

The Visage looked at Teddy and smiled an earnest smile, then looked at me. “What say you, Aeirahn?”

“This is madness! How can you want to go back to that place, to see those damned dragons again? What of Daniel? Do you think he would want to see you throw your life away like this?”

“Do not speak his name!” Teddy screamed. “It’s because of Daniel that I go on this task! He was my kin, more than any blood relatives I have! And I saw him die, helpless! I will not allow another to face the same fate! The more we know about what’s going on, the better we can fight back!” The ire in his eyes burned into my soul.

“Teddy, you’re speaking in anger! You can’t make this decision right now, not like this! We need time to consider – “

“We don’t have time, Aeirahn!” Teddy’s ferocity beginning to wane. “Others are going to try. We have survived once; we can do it again. Someone must do something. I’m not going to sit idly by as someone else goes to their death. I’m going, with or without you.” He walked forward and grabbed me by the shoulders. “But I want to go with you.”

I looked into his eyes, and for the first time in days I saw a fire in his eyes. Swiftly my mind wandered to what we had seen in that valley. Each of our friends, taken without so much as a struggle, let alone with a fight. It wasn’t possible to go back into that valley, not possible to survive a second time. But in Teddy’s eyes I could see that none of that mattered. He was going. He wanted to see those dragons up close, and he wanted blood. He wasn’t motivated by insanity, though he couldn’t have been far off. He was motivated by vengeance. I considered all that had been said for a moment, still looking in his eyes, then finally said, “Very well. I, too, shall join this crusade.”

Teddy’s stern face turned into a pained smile, and he embraced me. Had he been able to see my face at that moment, he would’ve seen terror in my eyes.