Secret of Dragons

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. A place once filled with fear and gloom, their presence transformed the Valley into a sanctuary of harmony. A land renewed; pure and untainted. I fear however, we are wading in the still waters which precede the ravaging storm. With every daybreak, the stink of death grows nearer. And as our resources dwindle, so does our magic. It’s only a matter of time till we are discovered, and the Secret of Dragons is revealed.

The day broke as it usually does. The bright sun jumping itself into the pre-dawn sky, awakening the world to its magnificence. It’s rays hot and heavy, penetrating deep into the ground, a sustaining source of life for all.

Hammon, a young boy of ten, basked in its warmth. His bright emerald eyes and silver locks glimmered as he stared longingly into the sky. His plump, sun-kissed cheeks and soft round face unveiled his youth and innocents. With hands behind his head, he lounged peacefully among thick, green grass decorated with colorful wildflowers; a small opening in the lush Mayzonia Forest surrounding him. His pet chameleon, Ollie, rested peacefully on his shoulder.

His eyes closed. A vision of him soaring across the sky filled his mind. He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air. There was something about this place - the cool wind, the warm sun, the world below sunken and insignificant. This was where he belonged.

Heavy footsteps crunched through the grass, disturbing his trance. Hammon sat up. Katella, a young woman of twenty-five, trekked his way. There was an aura of ferocity about her, as if she was constantly daring the world for a challenge. A long sword with a crimson handle, bounced at her back; its smokey grey blade giving way to hints of purple and blue - the signature glow of dragon metal.

“Hammon!” she yelled.

“Uh-oh.” Hammon said to Ollie. “You better hide.”

With stealth, Ollie blended into Hammon’s crimson colored shirt, crawled into his pocket.

Katella continued her way through the thick brush leading to Hammon’s small, peaceful oasis. She wore a bodysuit of chainmail fitted tightly to her thin yet muscular frame. A crimson stained metal plate across her chest featured a scull with a rose for one eye and a dagger for the other, the symbol of the Legion of Tratemor – the most feared warriors in Valenxus.

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you” Katella said, a hint of anger in her voice. “I’ve sent the Legion ahead. Now we must catch up. What’ve you been doing?”

Katella stood over him, her brows furrowed as she awaited his reply. Her soft honey eyes a stark contrast to the hardness that sat deep in her face.

“I was sunbathing…” Hammon said, thick with uncertainty.

“Sunbathing?” Katella responded, half shocked, half offended. “We are at war, Hammon. There’s no time for sunbathing. Get up. We must go."

Katella yanked him off the ground, brushed the grass off his back.

“Let’s hurry,” she said. “Last thing we want is to be caught in the forest at last light alone.”

Carefully, they waded their way through the thick brush. Hammon peaked back at the meadow, breathed in its warmth one last time. He turned for the forest, the sunlight faded beneath the thick canopy of trees. He shivered; the warmth of the sun now gone.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t find me, Momma,” he said. “I dreamed all night of the sun. I just had to feel its warmth.”

Katella studied him.

“Tell me more about this dream,” she said.

“It was a glorious dream.” Hammon said. “I was soaring through the sky, the sun warm on my skin. Dragons flew around me. At first, I was afraid, but they didn’t want to hurt me. They wanted to be my friend. And they had magic! Each one a different power.”

“Is that all?” Katella asked.

“Kind of…,” Hammon’s voice trailed.

Katella stopped walking, turned toward Hammon.

“Continue,” she demanded.

Hammon looked at her, a hint of fear in his eyes.

“And then the Legion came. And the dragons were afraid. And…”

Hammon put his head down.

“…And you killed them,” he said in a soft voice.

Katella’s lip curled; satisfaction heavy on her face.

“A glorious dream indeed,” she said.

Hammon glanced up at her, unsure how to respond.

“But I liked the dragons,” he finally said.

“It’s a trick they play.” Katella said. “Dragons are elite deceivers. They invite you in, make you feel safe, loved even. But a beast lives inside them, Hammon. One that cannot be tamed. And when instinct takes over, they will strike.”

Katella lifted her chainmail, revealed a deep scar across her neck.

“Need I remind you how I got this?” she asked.

Hammon shook his head.

In the distance, the smoke of a once burning fire billowed into the air.

“Race you to camp,” Katella said, taking off in a sprint.

“Hey! Wait!” Hammon yelled, following her lead.

Hammon reached the camp first.

“I win!” he gloated.

“I let you win,” Katella joked.

The camp was empty but for two horses tied to a small oak tree.

“The Legion can’t be far,” Katella said. “The faster we ride, the better.”

Swiftly they mounted their horses. Hammon’s a large grey spotted stallion and Katella’s a tall, all-white filly. With Katella at the lead, they quickly made their way through the forest, jumping and dodging the brush. As the sun set behind them, war drums could be heard in the distance.

“That’s them.” Katella said. “We must be close.”

Hammon kicked his horse.

“Race you there!” he yelled.

He cut Katella off at a small passing leading to the camp. He looked back with a wide smile, glory on his face.

“Watch out!” Katella screamed.

Hammon turned around, his horse preparing to jump a large crevice. Startled, Hammon pulled the reigns. The horse’s neck jerked backwards as its body flew forward, snapping its back leg. Hammon jumped from the horse, his foot tangling in the reigns. The horse hit the ground hard, momentum pulling it over the crevice. Unable to free himself, Hammon followed.

“Help!” he cried.

Katella leaped from her horse, unsheathed her sword. In a swift blow she sliced the reigns, freeing Hammon’s foot. Quickly, she dove to the ground, clutched his hand. Hammon dangled above the darkness.

“I gotcha,” she said. “You, ok?”

With little effort, she pulled him back over the edge. Hammon nodded his head. Checked his shirt, searching for Ollie.

What are you doing?” Katella asked, still working to catch her breath.

“Um, nothing… Just an itch” Hammon said, pretending to scratch himself.

His finger found Ollie snuggled in his pocket; he let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks for saving—”

Before he could finish his sentence, a large grey tentacle lashed out from the crevice, wrapped itself around Katella’s arm. A look of alarm crossed her face. In a show of force, it yanked her down into the dark hole.

“Momma!” Hammon cried, running to save her.

He peered down into the crevice; all he could see was darkness.

“Momma!?” he cried again. “Come back...”

Last light peaked over the horizon. Hammon looked around nervously as the sounds of the forest came to life. Ollie climbed out of his pocket, positioned himself on his shoulder.

“I don’t know what to do, Ollie,” Hammon said.

Katella’s horse nudged his back. Hammon turned, rubbed its nose. A loud, unnerving howl sounded in the near distance. Ollie vanished into his shirt. Hammon looked back to the crevice, yearning to find Katella.

“We gotta get out of here, Ollie” Hammon said. “When we get to camp, we can find someone there to help.”

The horse grunted, as if to agree. Hammon mounted the horse. Slowly they made their way through the forest, the world around them hardly visible. Ollie watched Hammon’s back from his shoulder. Everywhere they looked, eyes seemed to glare back at them.

“I’m not so sure about this, Ollie.” Hammon said. “We should go back and find Katella.”

Hammon turned the reigns. The horse ignored him, pulling back. Hammon tried again, the horse’s neck didn’t budge.

“Turn back.” Hammon ordered, giving the horse a soft kick to its rear.

The horse grunted, shook its head, continued in the same direction.

“You’re a bad horse.” Hammon said.

Something giggled in the darkness. Hammon looked around, startled.

‘Who’s there?” he asked.

A bright orbiting violet light appeared before him. Hammon watched amazed as it zoomed around, leaving a trail of violet sparks. Ollie disappeared into Hammon’s shirt.

“What are you?” Hammon asked.

The violet light popped. Like confetti, violet sparks rained from its wake. In its place stood a girl, roughly the same age as Hammon. Her emerald eyes gleamed at him. Her long silver hair twisted and braided on her head. Her face soft and inviting.

“That’s not a horse,” she laughed.

Hammon gaped at her.

“You have my eyes,” he said. “I’ve never seen anyone like me before.”

“I’m Amaya,” she said with a smile.

“I’m Hammon,” he replied. “What do you mean this isn’t a horse?”

Amaya giggled.

“It’s not a horse, it’s a griffin,” she said.

“A what?” Hammon asked, confused.

“Watch. I’ll show you,” Amaya said.

Amaya twisted her hands, softly chanted in a language unknown to Hammon. She turned her palms toward him. Hammon winced as violet light shot from them, striking Hammon’s horse. With Hammon still on its back, the horse transformed. Its once long thin legs now short and thick. It’s long muzzle now a short beak. Large, feathered wings now extended from its sides.

Hammon quickly jumped to the ground.

“What just happened,” he said.

“I reversed the magic,” Amaya said. “It was a simple spell, really.”

The griffin approached Hammon, lowered its head. Hammon gaped at it, unable to move.

“She won’t hurt you.” Amaya said with a smile. “Her name is Alba, she brought you to me."

Hammon slowly extended his hand, Alba meeting it halfway. Her feathers were soft, silk like. Hammon stroked them gently. Alba’s wings fluttered.

“Wait,” Hammon said. “You have wings, we can save Katella!”

Alba screeched, nodded her head.

“It won’t be as easy as you think,” Amaya said. “A sea serpent lives down there. A very powerful one at that.”

Hammon turned toward her.

“How do you know all of this? And what do you mean Alba brought me to you? Do you know my mother?” he demanded to know.

“Do I know your mother?” Amaya said with a huff. “I do, indeed.”

Two small eyes revealed themselves on Hammon’s shoulder.

Amaya giggled.

“I see you got a friend,” she said.

The eyes vanished.

“It’s ok little guy. You’re safe with me,” Amaya said in a soft voice.

Hammon looked to his shoulder. Ollie reappeared; his beady eyes staring back at him. In unison they turned to Amaya.

“So, you’ll help me save my mother?” he asked.

“I’ll help you save Katella,” Amaya responded. “But first, there’s something I must show you.”

Hammon watched wide-eyed as Amaya twisted her arms and chanted. She turned her palms toward him.

“Wait!” Hammon yelled, trying to shield himself.

In an instant, violet light shot from Amaya’s hands, striking Hammon. The violet light surrounded him, suffocating him as it trapped him inside and lifted him from the ground. He screamed but no sound left his mouth. Hammon kicked, twisted, punched – anything he could do to break free. Now orbiting in the air, Amaya watched him from below.

“You’re going to be just fine,” she said. “Try to relax, it will make the process easier.”

Hammon continued to kick and claw at the violet light. When his energy depleted, his body fell limp. With his last breath, the light burst – sparks of violet exploded into the air, rained down from the sky. In its wake, an Emerald Dragon emerged.