The secret of Dragwellen

Avondale, somewhere around the early 19th Century. Salem Massachusetts.

"Townsfolk, townsfolk, all transformed and flew away

One very foggy dark and eerie night, so they say

By day one comes back, pretends so all may see

One home shining bright, no need for key

Should you enter, such a fright will be

Beware, beware the secret. Ye who enters

Never leaves. Yet be caught in evil ventures".

So sang the little children when they played their games. Stop telling stories their parents said, it is all a fable, a made-up fairy tale.

Was it though?

The town of Avondale was old and broken down, the houses ramshackle, dilapidated and falling apart. Beyond the houses tall grisly tree branches waved eerie hellos as they swayed in the wind. The elongated limbs quivered and shook, bending and beckoning like tentacles bizarrely obscured by the light misty fog. Closer yet to the houses were smaller trees, which from a frightful distance appeared rather chillingly like people all lined up, holding hands in ominous reminder of where you were and who lived here. The swirling smoke wafting from a lone chimney could be seen as the lone man hesitantly approached closer. He could smell the sweet, pleasant odor of decadent and wanton scented foods interspersed with the fragrant hint of wood from the fire. This one house, in stark contrast to the others, was freshly white washed, well lit, and quite sinfully welcoming.

The stranger glanced back at the uneven stone-built wall leading up to the houses, there were great yawning holes where many rocks had fallen unattended to the ground, leaving the wall leaning awkwardly, with barely enough stones to hold it upright for very much longer. Something seemed amiss within his mind. He could not, however put his finger upon it.

The man, Vindghaal had come in search of the mother and her daughter. Witches who were practicing herbal magic. The people of Avondale no longer needed doctors and man-made concoctions which hurt instead of heal. They had lost their way to the dark side, or so it was believed by those who misunderstood their ways. Those who chose an alternative life to the one ordained by the few who held power over a people, were always afraid of that which they did not understand. They mislead the people, offering worthless draughts that were only meant to placate and maybe bring a bit of hope. Ultimately though, it would not heal the ill and ailing townspeople.

The Church had heard stories of transformation, witchcraft and magic. They sent their best man and his team to investigate, these men now waited for him not a far distance within the woods with the horses. First, he must make a sham of being ill and in need of the illusive witch's brew.

Mynerva watched this man as he approached. She heard his heartbeat, so unnatural in one who appeared so calm. He was afraid, unsure, almost wary or unwilling to carry out this unseemly task that had been assigned to him.

Where was everyone, he wondered, was it not still early enough for folks to be out and about.

Elsewhere

In the beautiful land of Dragwellen,far away from the broken town, young dragons of every description, shades and colors frolicked in the sunshine. The slightly older resident dragons had gone hunting and fishing. Dragon trainers were trying their best to keep the unruly young ones quiet enough to learn their lessons.

"Rylang, inhale deeper, get the fire going now, you must practice in order to join the Sun Ryders". Vynard was patient with his charges, but they were surely testing his resolve today.

"Nyoma, leave Balali alone, stop teasing and pay attention to the charted course ahead of you"!

"I swear, I will send you all back to repeat the journey that that you all had to make to get here"! Came a shouted command.

Whenever Franzea spoke everyone listened. The young dragons were terrified of her. The training area was suddenly so still you could hear Gandar fart in alarm. They all stifled a giggle. Someone went 'ewwww' from close by where he was standing. Franzea's bark was worse than her bite, she too stifled the desire to laugh, these calves were amusing sometimes.

"Please take your training seriously, you never know when you will have to defend your land. Vynard, may I have a word please".

"There is turmoil brewing in the homeland. Alas, I bring solemn news of the church enquiry reaching it's claws into Avondale. Our sisters are there and report visitors. Be on the alert for further instructions".

"By all means sister. I shall".

The group of men waiting with the horses in the woods of Kalundela could hear the sounds of wolves howling in the distance, night was fast approaching, and they had no wish to be in the forest alone. In the undergrowth they could hear the smaller animals scurrying for shelter. The creaking branches, rustling leaves and scrabbling of lizards and tiny forest life grated on their nerves as pictures of witches danced in their heads. They decided it was prudent to start making their way towards the town, despite Vindghaal's order to wait until summoned.

The inquisitor approached the smoke venting cottage since it was the only one that seemed occupied. He raised his hand to knock but the door opened mysteriously. He saw not a soul. "Come in young man". Vindghaal did not consider himself so young anymore, he was in his mid thirties. Still,since there was no one else around, he entered cautiously. He could smell the very inviting aroma of broth and baked bread. A table was laid out and a lovely young woman was by the stove. Mynerva had long black hair, smooth olive skin and piercing grey eyes. It was hard to look away from her. There was always someone in the village in case the sick and needy showed up, she saw to that. No one who needed help was turned away.

"You must be hungry. I imagine you have travelled far to get here"? "Please sit, eat. I await my family to supper quite soon. What may I call you"?

"Vindghaal". He replied absently.

He had somehow lost all control over his reasoning power the minute he stepped through the door. He sat down eagerly and ate voraciously, his hunger was real, for he had not eaten a proper meal in days. The food, however, was a witches' feast, filled with charms for the pure of heart. Vindghaal would never again be the simple man who walked in the now transformed door. What he saw was a pathway, leading where he was not sure. He only knew that he had to travel this road to his ultimate destiny. He saw a map in his head, saw it as clearly as the bright light of day. All his life he had felt alone, with no family to call his own. Vindghall grew up on the streets with only the orphans to call his family. He started to follow the map, it led to the forest of Kalundela, as he walked, he felt himself changing. By the time he reached the heart of the forest he had become a little child not more than two or three years old.

The animals showed him the way on this map. It was a strange map, nothing that he had ever seen before.

Meanwhile, back on Dragwellen , Franzea sat staring into the magical Well of Time. Events transpiring back in Avondale were disconcerting and worrying. Vynard was fetched and hurriedly instructed of a new arrival being delayed by events most horrendous. Andaran the Brave, was dispatched post haste to travel the Hidden route to Kalundela forest to aid the child on his quest. Andaran, upon a speedy arrival, searched and searched but could not find the child.

After leaving the witch's house, Vindghaal had started the journey through the forest. The group of his companions came riding up at the same time. Beholding the younger man leaving the witch's house they pursued him into the woods. Being a great distance from them however, he had managed to elude them and hide himself deep in the underbrush, scared and frightened. Although he was in a child's body, his mind was still that of an adult.

Mynerva had seen them making their way to the village. She quickly transformed herself to look like the lad and emerged in front of the men from behind a tree.

"I bet you are all hungry, there is a lot of food in the house, my mother says to invite you all in". Said the wily witch.

The men all looked at each other, they were all very hungry, their bellies were complaining mightily. The lead man reached down and yanked the young man upon the horse behind him. "Lead the way boy, let us have a look. No funny business now though".

"Tis just me and my momma". Said the young man. "nothing to be afraid of".

They all entered the house, saw the table laid with a feast for a king, and they ate greedily, we will have to excuse them their manners, they had not eaten much in a few days. As they ate the change came over them. This time the men did not see a map to a new life. Their bones started shifting, their limbs warped, hurt and pain ripped through their legs, bones cracked and shifted, their teeth became fangs and they transformed into creatures with four legs. Wolves. They howled.

The boy too transformed. Mynerva became the alpha wolf. She lunged, slashed, tore and gouged at the pack. They fought, howled, grunted and yowled in pain as skin shredded, two bloody wolves went down, the other five turned and fled out the door, blood dripping from their bodies.. The horses reared at the sight of the bloody wolves, the post on which they were tied came loose and they raced into the forest splintering wood as they ran back the way they had come. Had their hearts been pure, these men would have seen the map to Dragwellen as Vindghaal had done. The evil in their hearts sent them on a different path. They had hung many women under the guise of the Church, innocent women who could not help themselves. Mynerva saw into their deepest darkest hearts. As they howled in pain and ran for the woods, the howls that they had heard earlier echoed from somewhere nearby within the woods. The forest beasts had smelled fresh blood. The fate of these wolfmen was now entirely in their own hands.

The witch quickly ran out of the house, still in the form of a wolf. She had no idea if the child had been found. It was in grave danger in the forest. By now she knew that the transformation had begun.

The giant, Hipolan, had smelled the fresh new blood of a human child, and was on the prowl in search of a tasty feast. Andaran the dragon flew slowly overhead searching for the child. He had walked around for a bit on the ground, his large grey body with it's powerful wings snagged and broke leaves and random twigs as he moved. the sound startled the child even more, so he hid still further in the bushes.

The child was sure that he had heard wolves.

Mynerva as the wolf came charging into the forest, she sniffed for a while. moving through the woods, and finally after snarling at the giant and chasing him away, she approached where the child was hiding.

"You may come out now, little one. Do not be afraid, I am here to help you". Vindghaal saw the wolf and refused to come out. "Go away, I won't be fooled again. I may be small but I am not a child, how am I talking to a wolf anyway"?

"I should have explained. Within your heart had been a cry for help. You had no wish to be a part of the work that you had been forced to do. I heard that cry and wished to help. First though, there is a change that must be agreed and undertaken. In order for the transformation, you must revert to your childhood. Your heart to me did agree. I will explain further. I am Mynerva, you met me in the house earlier. I am a witch, I can change my form".

Andaran flew down, adding another layer of confusion to the mix. As if that were not enough, Hipolan the giant came roaring over to grab the lad. His appetite for the taste of children overcame his fear. He had not eaten one in many years, the witches protected them from him. He was not fond of the magical beings.

A fight thus ensued. While the dragon clawed at the gigantic man thing, the wolf bit his legs mercilessly. He flailed at the dragon and tried to yank it from the skies. Hipolan grabbed a hold of Andaran's talon and spun him around a few times, but let go when the wolf bit him hard. Hipolan kicked the wolf hard in the face and it yelped in pain. The giant also was a magical creature, he tried to defend himself by causing tremors in the earth, but alas, his concentration was divided between two powerful enemies and in the end he fell to the onslaught and power of the witch and Andaran. Long had Hipolan been a threat and terror to townspeople everywhere. They were afraid to go out at nights as he roamed far and wide. Andaran was sorry to see the giant's end. They had crossed paths many times over the years. He breathed dragon fire unto his large body until only ash remained. Now wild animals could not desecrate the body.

Minerva changed back to herself. The child who was not a child was fast asleep in the underbrush. How could he be asleep through all the racket, she wondered. Maybe it was for the best. She gently pulled him out of his hiding place and they prepared to ride away on the dragon's back.

Gertrude the witch had taken over watch at the house while Mynerva had to leave, true to the promise of someone always being there to help the needy. Andaran, Mynerva and Vindghaal made the rest of the journey towards Dragwellen.

They flew for a long time and the child woke up on the way. Over mountains, valleys and seas they flew. Past many villages, grasslands and meadows. What a wonderful world it was high up in the sky. The stars were now twinkling and the moon was bright and full. They rested upon a high mountain and drank from the river flowing by. Towards morning they flew up to the clouds for a while, finally Andaran dipped below the clouds and the sky opened to the most beautiful place that Vindghaal had ever seen. A fairytale world of splendor and beauty, green abundant trees, woodland and forest, beautiful houses adorned the landscape. Dragons and people alike were seen everywhere, rivers, streams and lovely abundant floral beauty dotted the landscape with breathtaking views.

Here they landed, and while he gaped in wonder, Vindghaal transformed, with a bit of discomfort, but strangely no pain, into a young purple and grey dragon. He was adorned with wings, in alarm he began spinning around and around, like a puppy trying to chase it's tail. Everybody does it at first he was told as they laughed at him.

For once a human enters the domain of Dragwellen, they are immediately transformed. Only the pure of heart are allowed in. Should you try to enter uninvited, you will be consumed by fire and returned to the earth.

Do not worry, they reassured him, you now have the power to be human or dragon whenever you choose. A lot had happened at once and he still needed time to process and understand all that had happened. A miracle had happened overnight, as if by magic he mused to himself. Mynerva the lovely presumptuous witch had been right, magic or miracle, he could not imagine being happier.

Vindghaal had found his home at last!

Back in Avondale, the Church became concerned when it's people never returned. Another party of men were sent to investigate. They found no sign of anyone. Though the house of light still stood, it had been obscured from them. The deserving still can see with other eyes. They were henceforth left in peace to live as they desired.

N.A.