The Dragon's Destiny

There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

Jordyn watched from above as three strangers, dressed in ornate flowing silk robes in a rainbow of colors, strode into the council chamber. He gripped the ceiling joist as he spied. The ancient oak felt familiar under his hands.

Council leader Darrus, Jordyn's current and most unwilling guardian, took his seat at the head of the meeting table. He carried himself as one might think a nobleman would if one had never seen a nobleman. The lavish trio stood before him. They looked like rich courtiers in the presence of a pauper king.

The elder of the group introduced himself as Bellec. He had hawkish features and the lean build of a powerful warrior. His long white hair matched Jordyn's own. A broader, shorter associate with a fiery red beard was called Ereb, and he carried a fine leather satchel over his shoulder. The last was perhaps Jordyn's age or slightly older. He stood silent and wasn't introduced. An array of bladed weapons was strapped to his body.

The ground shook gently, a normal part of life for Jordyn these past sixteen years. Dust and loose thatch fell from a rafter onto his slender arm, and when he wiped it away, and single piece of straw landed at Bellec's feet.

Bellec's head snapped to Jordyn's listening post. His steely gaze quickly turned to silent amusement, however, and he returned his focus to the council members. He made no mention of Jordyn's presence.

"You must heed my warning," he said. His head turned almost imperceptibly to Jordyn. "Great danger fast approaches. General Varron of Avengard has already conquered much of your land with his vast army. His path will soon bring him to Sylvan Commonwealth. He will slaughter you to the last for the prize he seeks."

Darrus twisted his corpulent body in his chair, clearly discomforted. "That's preposterous. There's little here to interest a would-be conqueror."

Jordyn nodded. The quakes started in the same year he was found, and they only grew stronger over time. The farmland had ceased to bear a harvest even before the tremors began. Their only value now was as a waystation for weary travelers, being nestled in a cozy valley halfway between the major inland cities and the distant coastal towns. Bellec seemed unbothered by Darrus's protest and Jordyn listened closely to the words that followed.

"If that were true, you would have abandoned these people long ago. We know the secret you keep."

Darrus's face paled, and his bloated belly jiggled as he jumped from his seat. "Now see here."

"Calm yourself," Bellec said. His voice was even and cordial in tone, but it contained the force of a command. Darrus fell silent, unused to taking orders rather than giving them. Jordyn nearly laughed out loud to see the bloated man put in his place by the outsider. "If we had desired, we could have taken all you possess. However, it serves a greater interest to offer our protection."

The council leader's brow furrowed, and Jordyn shook off a similar expression. "How can three men, even warriors, protect us against an army?" Darrus said.

Bellec took a step toward the conference table and leaned forward, propping himself on closed fists. The menace in his stare was palpable as he addresses the council. "That would be a fair question," he said "if we were men."

Darrus erupted with laughter and the other council members began to follow suit. The youngest of the strangers suddenly moved. He drew a pattern in the air with his hands, then quickly drew a second. The first effect was that the council was immediately frozen in place. The second effect --

"Dragons!" Jordyn blurted. He lost his grip on the ancient beam and fell twelve feet to the floor. He landed face down in front of a silver-skinned beast with a luxurious mane of pristine white feathers. Jordyn's face blanched and his eyes shot open as wide as humanly possible without actually popping out of his head. He flipped onto his back and crab-walked into the far wall. He was speechless and trembling, the fear evident on his pale visage. His eyes darted to a massive red beast with wings unfurled, then to a slender figure no taller than before, but with iridescent blue tinted skin which rippled as he made more symbols in the shimmering air.

Though still in his true form, Jordyn saw compassion in the old dragon's eyes. A puff of steam escaped Bellec's snout. His voice was deep and resonant but contained no hint of malice. "Everything is alright, young master. You have nothing to fear from us."

Jordyn slowed his breath but stayed seated against the wall. As Bellec approached, his monstrous form morphed back into his kindlier, oddly paternal appearance. "Thank you, Marsan." The younger dragon nodded as his illusion once again formed around the trio.

Bellec put his hand out. "Well then, let's get you on your feet. What is your name, young master?"

Jordyn furrowed his brow, but he slowed his breathing and put his hand out. "I am Jordyn, sir, ward of the Commonwealth."

"Are you an orphan, then?"

"A foundling, sir."

"Have you no memories of your home?"

"No, sir. I was an infant when Darrus found me." He shuffled his feet and looked away.

Bellec scratched his long silver beard, then smoothed it between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes squinted as his smile widened. "Well, I am sorry for that." He nodded toward Darrus. "But enough with this 'sir' nonsense. You may call me Bellec."

Thank you, si -- Bellec."

The old dragon snorted. "Did you like our glamour? Young Mars is quite talented with illusion."

Once more, Jordyn diverted his gaze. "There are often days I'd rather be somebody else."

"Perhaps you will be, one day," the old man said. "Now, I must have a word with my captive audience."

Jordyn looked to the council. Darrus was stuck mid-laughter, odd because Darrus almost never laughed.

Bellec stood before them and rose to his full human height. He held his shoulders back and tilted his chin slightly upward. "I will release you all in a moment. We do not normally condone the use of magic to compel humans, but these are not normal times and panic now can only heighten the threat you face. Please take your seats."

As one, the council sat, entranced.

With a nod to Marsan, the young man flourished his fingers in the air. Within seconds, the council members stirred in their seats. They straightened their clothing, smoothed their hair, and several cleared their throats. But not a single person spoke. Even Darrus said nothing.

"We will give you time to talk amongst yourselves," Bellec said. "But be quick about it. Your time grows shorter by the moment." To Jordyn, he said, "walk with us, won't you?"

Jordyn followed the trio outside. The night air cooled his skin. They walked together to the center of town. Ereb and Mars stood as Bellec and Jordyn sat on the edge of a large stone planter. The sun was almost below the horizon. Jordyn sighed.

"You don't like it here." It wasn't a question.

Jordyn saw the sympathy in Bellec's eyes, "This is the only home I've ever known, but I feel like I don't belong," he said.

"Perhaps your true destiny lies elsewhere."

"If the council rejects your offer of help, my destiny may be to die here."

Bellec straightened and smoothed the front of his robe. He snorted, and a puff of smoke escaped him which belied his human disguise. "Even Darrus is not so dim as to refuse our protection." He motioned to Marsan, who loosened a sword from around his waist, and handed it to the old man. "As for your untimely death, perhaps this will help."

Jordyn whistled softly. The bejeweled sheath practically glowed with gemstones. Rubies, emeralds, and diamonds encrusted the entire length, but the craftsmanship left the surface smooth and even. The hilt of the sword was made of gold, with a single diamond embedded in the pommel. When he drew the sword, it made no sound. He turned to Bellec.

"The sword has many enchantments," Bellec explained.

Jordyn tentatively touched the tip of his finger to the point of the sword. He cursed as several drops of blood fell into the dirt. "That's sharp!"

"There is nothing the sword cannot cut." He stood and gestured to Marsan, who stepped forward. Tomorrow, you will begin training with Mars. He will teach you the sword's various properties and how to use them in battle."

Jordyn looked at his feet. "I -- I don't know how to fight."

"The sword does," Bellec said. "But that's for tomorrow. You will need your rest, young master. Get a good night's sleep, and meet Marsan at sunrise in the town square to begin your instruction."

As Jordyn turned and sped off to his bed, Bellec's old man grin became toothy and sinister. He looked at the bloodstained ground where the boy had sat, then at his comrades. Bellec bent down and scratched at the spotted earth. When he rose, he sifted the grit through his fingers and revealed a small handful of rubies resting in his palm.