The Dragon Crest Wars

There weren’t always Dragons in the Valley.

The Valley used just to be a mashup of different races, a plot of land where none had claim nor wanted it. It was a place for those who couldn’t call anywhere else home, but no one ever called the Valley home. The Valley was just a place you ended up, it wasn’t ever the place you were trying to end up. I said none had a claim to it, and I’m sticking with those words but technically the Valley did have a sort of pseudo Government structure led by the Prefect.

Their technical authority over the Valley came about as a sort of self-proclaimed appointment. The Prefect sought to bring order and rules to the Valley, she gained a large base of supporters from various races and then build herself a fortress in the middle of the goddamn Capitol. No one really tried to stop her, because hell, no one even wants to contest her ‘right’ to the Valley or authority over it. This place is a bonafide shithole. A place to die, not a place you plan on celebrating many too many trips around the sun.

All that being said, the Valley is a truly awful, unlawful, chaotic beautiful mess, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My name is Lazarus, my friends call me Laz. Like everyone else in the Valley, I ended up here expecting to die soon after. Unfortunately, that was about three centuries ago and I’m still here. I’m gonna have to think of a backup plan soon. It hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows, but it hasn’t been all rain on my parades either. I’ve established a kind of rapport with the denizens of the Valley by now.

Through various exploits where the details are better left hazy and my endearing charms, I’ve become somewhat of a local legend one could say. A problem-solver, if I may. I’ll admit though, that I have a unique skill set for a very unique problem. This is why when I saw the two gentlemen enter the bar and immediately scan the room like jackals, I knew they had a problem. The kind of problem I solve, at least usually. I could also tell these two weren’t your average Valley dweller.

Their eyes moved methodically, and they carried themselves like they were ready to react to anything and everything. Tense. Their heart rates were steady, not even the slightest variance since they walked in. They hadn’t seen what they were looking for, they slowly began to traverse the crowds towards the barkeep. I took a sip of my drink casually letting the toothpick in my mouth fall into my lap in the same motion. I twirled the toothpick under the table for a moment before flicking it across the room with enough force to penetrate the skin. A very loud and angry yelp sounded not a moment later from several tables across.

My eyes never left my two new friends as I flicked the toothpick across the room at the unfortunate victim. The moment the cry sounded they both immediately reacted.

The first closest to the sound instantly turned and assessed the sound whilst bracing his arm next to his chest. His companion next to him did the same but faced the first man’s blindside. Instant reaction, instant teamwork, the reflexes of trained and dangerous men. Now that they were closer I could make out better features than through the crowd before. The one closest to me was a lizardman, derivatives of the Draconic race but much more passive and more importantly, not capable of utter destruction and fire breathing. The farther one seemed closer to human, probably some kind of elf or lesser demon, all the same to me anyway. Another important note, based on the way they reacted, both are definitely armed. Hand cannons assuredly, based on personal expertise.

My two friends had made it to the barkeep now and seemed to be questioning them. I heightened my hearing.

“We’re looking for Lazarus, heard he frequents this establishment.”

“A lot of people frequent this bar.” The dry response from Lief was great.

“A lot of people aren’t Lazarus. Cooperating with us is in your best interest, Mutt. We are here on behalf of the Prefect.”

Sigh. The name drop I was least wanting to hear. Also, calling a werewolf a mutt, only with a death wish.

A guttural growl could be heard from Lief. “Why the fuck would I care about what some fake authority wants? The bitch can piss off.”

The lizardman instantly reached for his hand cannon but I was there first. My hand gently, but firmly caught his wrist from behind as he went to grab his weapon.

“Pulling your cannon on your barkeep? Look around, not bound to go well for you Prefect or not.” I whispered into his ear.

I could hear his eyes widen in surprise at how quickly I was behind him and better yet, with my hand around his wrist. His partner was just as surprised and for the first time since they entered, their heartbeats quickened. I could taste the fear.

I nodded at Lief who relaxed his shoulders and canceled his transformation.

“Come have a drink with me, friends.” I beckoned as I let go of the lizardman and walked to my table. The event took place with such speed and discretion that none in the bar were any wiser an altercation almost happened. I sat down in my chair as the two Praetorians took their place across. A Praetorian is someone in direct report to the Prefect, which these two were claiming to be.

They wasted no time getting to business. “You are Lazarus, the–”

I raised my hand to cut him off. “There are many things that follow that sentence, I for one, prefer not to know any of the various things people call me.”

His partner seemed offended. “You would shy away from your exploits?”

“You live a long time, you start realizing your exploits always sound better than they were from another’s lips. My name is Lazarus, my friends call me Laz.”

Both of them looked at each other silently before the lizardman continued.

“The Prefect has summoned you. We need you to return to the Tower with us, Lazarus.”

I’m mildly annoyed he said my full name again, this is why I don’t have any friends.

“Summoned seems like such heavy-handed wording. Can’t I just refuse?” I mocked.

The lizardman remained calm and unprovoked but his companion’s heartbeat spiked momentarily and his whole body tensed.

“Denying the Prefect what she wants is treason.”

“Treason requires loyalty in the first place, also it requires a nation-state but we won’t get into that.”

“The Valley is a nation!” He slammed his fist on the table.

I rolled my eyes. “The Valley is a conglomerate mess. We could never present ourselves as a unified front to the world. The only reason the rest of the world hasn’t invaded or killed us all off is that they can’t. The Valley has the largest pool of supernatural creatures per capita. We’re surrounded by enemies States on all sides and all sides are terrified to attack.”

He went to argue again but the lizardman shot him a side-eye glare.

“Lazarus, we only ask that you listen to the Prefect. This is not a demand, but a favor. You will be paid handsomely.”

I can’t tell if the good cop bad cop is working on me or if the reasonable air around the lizardman makes it hard to disagree. It might also be the twelve other Praetorians outside surrounding the building. They came prepared.

“Just for listening?” I mocked again.

“Yes.”

“Oh? If that is the case why are there twelve more of your friends outside waiting for us?” I leaned in over the table staring into his soul.

He did not falter.

“They’re for our protection.”

I laughed. “Fourteen of you? For just me?”

“Your reputation precedes you.”

My eyes narrowed and my smile disappeared.

“What could the Prefect want with me? Can’t be anything good.”

“We are in need of your particular skills.”

I placed my hand cannon on the table in front of them. Both of them stiffened.

“I have eight bullets in this. That would leave four of you still standing. That makes four of you unlucky because dying to the bullet is much less painful.” I paused, giving them both time to process my threat.

“What do you know about me? What skills do you think your Prefect seeks?”

The lizardman eyed my hand cannon and then me. He looked like he was trying to gauge my intentions. His companion had already gripped his own hand cannon under the table but had yet to unholster it.

The lizardman broke the silence for us.

“You’re a Dragonslayer. You hunt and kill the monstrosities that are the Draconic people. You’re also an Upper Vampire. Some stories have you being said to be centuries old and among the most powerful Vampires alive today.”

“Two corrections,” I said with a smile holding up two fingers.

“Dragons aren’t monsters. No more than any of us in this room. And more importantly, Dragons are no longer threats. We hunted them to damn near extinction after the Dragon Crest Wars. Whatever your Prefect is hunting, it isn’t a Dragon. This means my skills aren’t needed, and they haven’t been needed for nigh a century. As it should be.” I finished my corrections leaning back into my chair and hanging my head slightly so I could hide under the rim of my hat.

“Maybe next time boyos.”

We sat in silence for a moment longer. I had anticipated them immediately leaving after I declined to follow them to the Prefect. How resolute they are.

“Five thousand Eros.” The lizardman said firmly.

I hate to admit it, but I looked up instantly. Five thousand Eros is an incredible sum. I’ve hunted Legendary Dragons for less.

“For the job?” I asked trying not to let my interest show too much.

The lizardman grinned slyly. He knew he had me.

“For listening.”

I sighed audibly before breaking into a slight chuckle. They got me. How can I not at least listen for five thousand Eros?

“Okay friends. I will speak with your Prefect.”

We rose from the table together and before leaving I tossed a few Eros to Lief.

“A few extra for the trouble my new friends caused,” I said with a nod.

Lief leaned in over the bartop. “Be careful dealing with the Prefect, Lazarus. Nothing good can come from it.”

“Just five thousand Eros. Also, my friends call me Laz.” I slapped him on the shoulder.

“You don’t have any friends Lazarus.” Lief coldly returned to cleaning an empty glass.

“Tch.” Everyone in the Valley is so insufferable I swear.

As we walked outside under the cursed star I flinched slightly while retreating my vision under my hat and pulling my cloak tighter over my shoulders. The lizardman noticed my movements.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it pretty rare to find your kind out and about during the day? Does it hurt?” He motioned towards the sun.

“Think nothing of it. Merely an annoying terminal allergy.” I said with a fake smile.

“Then why were you at a bar in the middle of the day? Don’t you sleep during the day and roam at night?” His companion spoke.

“You live long enough, you stop caring about when you might die or what might be the person or thing to do you in. Also, we don’t sleep. All that coffin nonsense is fictional.”

“So, you guys don’t burst into flames in the sunlight?”

Annoyed I stuck out a hand into the sun. Nothing evident happened other than the light blindingly reflecting off of my hand. They both shielded their eyes from my hand and I pulled it back under my cloak.

“Another myth, haven’t you guys ever met another vampire?”

“No. Your kind doesn’t exactly socialize.”

Fair enough.

“What really happens to you in the sun then? Nothing?”

I smiled with a wink. “Vampire secret.”

The Tower was the central point of the Valley. Even though the Valley was a massive plot of land, large enough to be a nation for sure, it lacked the same constructs as neighboring nations. No cities or villages with distinct names were ever found in the Valley. Things were instead described by landmarks of significance. The Valley meant the entirety of the country or nation or whatever we are but aren’t really. The Tower meant the middle of the Valley.

They found me in a bar new to the Western Edge. It takes a train ride and about half a day to get to the Tower from here. Once we got onto the train I sat down, kicked my feet up on the seat across from me, and closed my eyes. No, my kind doesn’t sleep but it is an amazing excuse not to engage in conversation. To think, other species sleep because they need to.

I spent the entirety of the trip in that state. Waiting. Occasionally I felt someone contemplating sitting next to me or in the seat across from me near the aisle. Every time they thought better of it. Perks of the rare look to us. Even with my eyes concealed, pay close enough attention and you’ll realize you’re staring at a vampire. We finally arrived late at night, must’ve taken some seven and a half to eight hours of travel. As we departed the train I half expected them to tell me the Prefect would see me first thing in the morning. It had to be past midnight by now.

Well, not that I cared. Time becomes quickly irrelevant when you’re always awake.

“The Prefect will see you immediately.”

I was surprised. “This late?”

“The Prefect understands the urgency of your audience. The faster you hear her request, the faster we can determine if we need another plan.”

They’re impatient. Nervous. There must be some kind of time constraint on this job. A job the Prefect thinks only I can accomplish. I’m sure there are no more Dragons, I should know. I killed most of them myself.

They showed me into the Tower, we skipped all of the security measures I thought they’d bother with. They even left me my weapons. An audience with the Prefect herself and they’re letting me stay armed? They’re either stupid or extremely confident I won’t or can’t kill her. I think I might be offended now.

Finally, we rode an elevator to the top floor. The audience chamber awaited. As we stepped off the elevator I could not help but admire the craftsmanship. The Prefect may well be a self-proclaimed authoritative unit, but she definitely had an appreciation for solid architecture. The ceiling rose several hundred feet above us, infinite pillars lined the hall and surrounded the room. Intricate paintings adorned the ceilings and walls, all flowing together in separate pieces but all part of the same harmony that created the room.

Specially designed and angled windows let light into the room but in a controlled quantity. It seemed almost as though the lighting itself took into consideration of Vampire visitors. In my awe of the room itself, I forgot the Prefect herself would be waiting on this floor. My attention was quickly diverted from the room when she spoke.

“Skin so fair it looks like perfection. Hair so pale it’s somewhere between the lightest blonde you’ll ever see and white. And your eyes. Eyes so crimson the finest ruby would be jealous of their glow. Everything I’ve heard about you vampires is true.” The way she looked at me made me feel the way a doe might feel in the gaze of a hungry wolf. An extremely uncomfortable feeling.

The Prefect herself was covered by a floor-to-ceiling veil, an impressive enough feat considering the size of the room. I could only make out her faint outline through the veil. Even sharpening my sight to its maximum only gave me the vaguest idea of her features. Magic was definitely at work, probably cast on the veil itself. I didn’t have any more time to be impressed though, and the feeling of a one-way screen rubbed me wrong frankly.

“You didn’t call me here to admire the way I look, Prefect.”

“Speak with some respect!” The lizardman hissed his words at me, literally.

“It’s fine Claudias.”

That is not at all what I thought his name would be.

“You’re right, Lazarus the Upper Vampire. I did not request an audience for that.”

“Request is an interesting word for a strong-armed summon.”

“Strong-armed is an interesting choice of wording for someone who only came for the money.”

“It was part of the strong arm.”

“My apologies for the heavy-handed approach. Time is of the essence and I had to either make it worth your while to come here, or not worth your effort to run away.”

“Fourteen men was an excessive escort.”

“Please, Lazarus. They’re lucky they’re still alive. You must’ve been in a good mood.”

“I don’t kill for fun.”

“Quite unlike the stories of your kind, perhaps you are the exception and not the rule.”

“You left me with my weapons, I might feel the need to make an exception.”

“You’re with your weapons because even with them you’re no threat here, Vampire.”

The disdain in the voice was enough to tell me what I was dealing with. From behind a pillar to my left out walked a man. He was shirtless, only wearing pants. He had disheveled unkempt hair and piercing blue eyes. I could tell by the smell immediately.

“A Hybrid. You keep interesting slaves, Prefect.” Half-vampire, half-werewolf, all the boons of each. Most hybrids never make it past infancy. They’re particularly hard to keep alive in their early stages of life. He’s not wrong though, a fight here would be to my disadvantage.

“No one here is a slave. Everyone is here by choice and can leave by choice.”

“With all due respect, Prefect. A trained dog doesn’t know it's a slave.”

The Hybrid began to growl at me.

The Prefect raised her hand and the Hybrid immediately became silent.

I smirked. “It is trained well though.”

“I would see that we speak of the task I wish to ask of you now.” The Prefect changed the subject.

“I’m simply here for my five thousand Eros. I’ll listen to this request and nothing more.”

She made another had motion and a servant came forth, handing me a small pouch of coin.

“Five thousand Eros as agreed for your ears.”

I took the bag and nodded at the Prefect. “I’m all ears.”

“We need you to intercept a package that is going to be departing the Valley tomorrow night. The package’s destination is the nation Ulthan to the north. The package must be destroyed at all costs. Upon completion of this task not only will you prevent the outbreak of another war, but you will also save the inhabitants of the Valley from countless deaths.”

“You want me to intercept a package? What does this have to do with my skill set? Why would I care? To prevent death? I live in the Valley same as you, but don’t mistake your make-belief patriotism as my own.”

“The package is defended by a Dragon.”

Now it makes sense.

“Are you sure?”

“All of the evidence points to it. There can be no mistake, all of my spies assure me the same thing. A Dragon will be defending the package en route to Ulthan.”

“That’s why you need me. I am to slay the Dragon and destroy the package. Tell me, what are the contents of the package?”

The Prefect paused.

“I cannot tell you what the contents are. It is better if you do not know. All you need to know is that under no circumstances can the package reach Ulthan. If it does, it will mean the coming of another Dragon Crest War.”

My eyes widened. “Do you know what you say, Prefect?”

“Watch your words, Vampire.” The Hybrid scowled at me.

“You were not given the order to speak.” I glared at him, letting some of my bloodlust escape.

He faltered for a moment before the Prefect raised her hand at him.

“If you cannot be silent be gone.”

He bowed his head obediently.

“I am aware of the gravity of my words, Lazarus. I too am long-lived like your kind. I know just what it would mean for the Valley to go through yet another Dragon Crest War. It is my utmost wish to avoid this outcome and for this, I need your help.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Naturally, we would try to stop the package on our own. I fear that we would fail and the package would be received in Ulthan and war would be upon us soon after.”

I paused for a moment. It’s been a while since I’ve slain a Dragon. It isn’t a matter of can or can’t. I can do it, but something feels wrong. I can’t put my finger on it but there isn’t enough time either. She said the package is due to leave tomorrow night. That leaves very little room for doubt and deliberation. She could be lying, but she could also be telling the truth. Another Dragon Crest War. Ten lifetimes wouldn’t be long enough before hearing those words together would be too soon.

“And if I succeed?”

“Another five thousand Eros will be delivered.” The Prefect answered without hesitation.

Ten thousand Eros. Not every day you see a payday like that. And to battle, a Dragon again, can’t lie the thought is exciting.

“I accept your terms. I will need to know the location of the shipment, the route it is supposed to take, and the security besides the Dragon. Everything you know.”

“Of course, Claudias will see to it that you have everything you’ve requested. I wish you luck, Lazarus. The fate of the Valley is in your hands now.”

“How thoughtful of you to pass this responsibility to me,” I said as I turned and walked away.

As promised I was supplied with everything I asked for. The package itself was on an airship already. The ship was docked at a rest stop nearby. It’s departure time early tomorrow morning. It was supposed to be tomorrow night, something sped up the timing. Could they be on to us? This meant I went from having almost eighteen hours to plan to having barely four. As this was meant to be an ‘unofficial’ operation I can’t hit them while they’re docked. It needs to be while they’re in the air. This also helps with the Dragon, don’t want to fight a Dragon while tied to the dock. Given that no Dragon sightings have happened it is guaranteed that the Dragon must be meeting them in the air and following from well above the clouds.

No Dragon sightings have happened.

Something isn’t adding up again. I checked the time again, less than an hour before I need to be on that ship. Oh well. I will have time to regret it in the future as they say. For now, I need to get on that ship. I had them take me to the district where the ship was docked so I could do all my planning nearby. That being said, there wasn’t really all that much to plan. From the looks of things, it is going to come down to the fight between myself and the Dragon in the air. I just need to make sure I take care of the crew before the Dragon arrives. As for getting onto the ship, easy enough. I am a Vampire after all.

Stowing away was terribly easy, the ability to disperse myself as a mist-like substance and then rematerialize myself where I want, is just too handy for jobs like this. I should’ve been a burglar. Now, we wait. Once the ship leaves the dock is my cue. Less than 20m later I felt the jolt of the ship departing the dock. I waited for another 10m to leave ample time for us to be in the sky. Now the only thing between me and the package was the crew and the Dragon. I’m betting the Dragon is still a ways out. They aren’t expecting me to be here, I haven’t heard anyone so much as check anything on this ship. Time to get to work.

I unholstered my hand cannon. I have eight rounds chambered, time to find out how many crew there are onboard. Luckily this is a small transport ship, they were definitely trying to stay under the radar for this. I closed my eyes and heightened my hearing to the maximum ability. With this ability, I can create a mental 3D image of the ship in my mind. Where I can pinpoint a heartbeat is where a crew member is.

Six.

I can hear six distinct heartbeats on the ship. I’m in the cargo bay currently am I am alone. I already checked for the package description and it wasn’t here. Which means it is probably in the captain’s quarters. I can hear four hearts on the deck, one near the helm. The last is presumably the captain and he appears to be locked away in his cabin. I waited at the bottom of the stairs that led to the deck. I kept my hearing heightened and focused on my dexterity next.

I need to wait for a moment when all five of the crew upstairs are in the line of sight of where I will exit the cargo bay. One bullet for each of them should finish the job, they all seemed to be humanoid types. Nothing I can hear or smell indicates a special exception. I sat there and listened intently as the heartbeats moved around the deck, waiting for the right moment. I’m also gambling with time, the Dragon could be here any second. The last thing I need is to worry about fighting the Dragon and the crew.

“Hey! Look at this!” One of the excitedly called over his friends. Four of them huddled near the starboard edge. That’s all four grouped, the fifth heartbeat was making his way towards his friends from the helm. He’s still out of sight…now.

I ran up the stairs bursting onto the deck in the blink of an eye right as the fifth crew member was leaving the helm for his friends. I lined the shot for his skull and pulled the trigger.

One dead.

At the sound of the hand cannon, the four men on the starboard side flinched and looked around for the source. I had already fired four more shots, all lethally aimed for their chests.

Five dead.

Each body hit the ground after the last in an almost perfectly synchronized manner. The Captain’s heartbeat was racing in his cabin directly above the stern. I took aim at the door to his quarters. Every step echoed in his racing heart. I pulled the trigger. He opened the door to his quarters a fraction of a second later.

Six dead.

I stood there listening to the wind above us. Nothing. No roar, no wings flapping, fire-spewing down from the heavens. No Dragon. Odd. A Dragon within even a hundred miles would’ve heard those cannon shots. I need to act fast. I can deal with the Dragon after the package is destroyed.

The Prefect’s men gave me some explosives to rig the package with, some pretty heavy-duty stuff too. This will leave no trace of the package or the ship for that matter. I walked into the captain’s quarters and just as I suspected there was the package at the end of his bed. It matched the dimensions and description, there can be no mistake. I rigged the explosives with the package and grabbed the detonator. I took a deep breath and listened again for the Dragon.

Nothing.

So strange. Were they wrong about the Dragon being here? Anyone could have done this job then. Why me? Wide-eyed I checked the explosives thinking maybe they too had a detonator and I was about to be done for. But, no, there was no indication that the explosives had been activated. It isn’t a set up then.

I stared at the package feeling the doubt I’d been suppressing start to rise to the surface.

I need to know. What was all the trouble worth? What could possibly start another Dragon Crest War? I’ll dispose of the package right after I check. No one will be any the wiser, even the Prefect. I braced myself and established my resolve. I broke the chains on the package the lifted the lid to reveal the contents.

Nothing could have prepared me for what was waiting for me inside the package.

It was a little girl.

If I had to guess she was maybe 19 by human standards but that wasn’t what was unmistakable about her. She had the most beautiful blue skin, covered occasionally by blue scales that ran all along her body. Her eyes were a cerulean blue, she had two horns that gently protruded from her skull on either side of her head.

Holy shit. She’s a Draconic. A living breathing Dragon.

I froze. She looked up at me with such fear in her eyes, like a lost child. She lacked the anger and hatred and resentment I know so well from Draconic eyes. At this moment, she was nothing more than a terrified little girl who probably thought I was here to kill her.

I didn’t know what to say, so I said the first thing that came to mind.

“My name is Lazarus, my friends call me Laz.”