The Tamers

“There weren’t always Dragons in the Valley.” I began, looking into the eyes of either of my grandchildren. Their big brown and green eyes stared up at me in wonder as if they didn’t believe what I just said. To them, it would have seemed crazy. Their whole lives, and indeed, even in their parent’s lifetime there had always been Dragons around.

My granddaughter, Talia, clutched her plush bunny toy tighter in her tiny fist, “Nana, were you there when there weren’t Dragons in the Valley?”

I smiled down at her. She was still young, but one day she too would get her own Dragon. Every woman when she comes of age gets her own personal Dragon as per tradition. They would be bonded for life — to the point where if one died then so would the other. In a few more years a Dragon will turn up just as suddenly as they appeared so many years ago and present itself to her. I couldn’t wait for her to experience something like that.

Her brother, Bron, on the other hand, wouldn’t get such an experience. We don’t know the details, but for whatever reason the Dragons only ever attached themselves to the women in the Valley. This caused some resentment from the menfolk, despite the fact that they held more power over women in the centuries leading up to the day the Dragons appeared. Since then, women have had it much easier than previous generations in the fact that they held much more agency over themselves. My generation, my daughter’s and my grandchildren’s generation have been ones of peace and equality.

“I was about your age when they first appeared. I don’t remember it all but there’s a particular moment that sticks out in my memory. I remember the skies being very dark that day. It was as if someone put a blanket over the sun. I was very frightened. I hung onto my mother — your great grandmother — and asked her what was going on. She was a very brave woman, my mother. She passed me over to my father and went out to inspect what was happening.” I explained to them, watching as they sat down crossed-legged at the foot of my chair. Their eyes didn’t once stray away from mine. They were completely enraptured in my tale, “For a few heartbeats, we heard nothing from her. My father was concerned so he called out to her. Nothing.”

“Was she okay?” Bron wondered.

“Well, we didn’t know, so we followed after her to check up on her. My father opened the door and that was the moment my life changed forever.” I answered.

“You saw the Dragons?” Talia asked.

“Hundreds of them.” I nodded my head, “All flying through the sky like gigantic, dark shooting stars. It was a sight to behold, never in my life would I again see anything like it. Then, all of a sudden, some of them dove from the air and landed all around us. The ground shook with every landing, causing everyone to become fearful and start running. I also wanted to run away, but my mother stood there unflinching. So I tried my best to be brave, just like her. Dozens of Dragons landed all around us, some toppling buildings, but they were all very careful of the people around them. Not one person was harmed, even if their livelihood was.

“Then, a giant red dragon with its nostrils flaring crashed right before the three of us. I remember screaming as a great gale blew all around me, threatening to lift me off the ground. It was terrifying, with all its pointed spikes lining its body, its yellow eyes shot out like beams from its dark body, freezing us to the spot. Its scales were like blood, a shiny crimson. The claws on it — well, you’ve seen Dragons before — they could rip a man in two easily. Smoke rose from its open mouth as it sighed, showing off its impressive rows of sharp, glistening teeth. My body couldn’t stop trembling at the sight of it.

“And yet still, even then, my mother stood before it. There was no terror on her face; in fact, there was a calm look about her. I knew nothing scared her, but it still shocked me to see that she wasn’t even shaking in front of his great beast.”

“They bonded!” Talia interrupted with excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh. Nothing went past her, she was as smart as a whip.

“That’s right, my love. They had bonded.” I bent over to ruffle her dark hair as she giggled, “And that was all I could remember from that day. The rest is history, I suppose: The Dragons all bonded with their subsequent Tamers. That red Dragon stayed with us, helped us, protected us until mother passed.”

“What did she name her Dragon?” Bron inquired.

“She called him Apyrtha — which in the ancient language meant ‘heart of my heart’.” I replied. I gazed up at the ceiling, sinking into my chair with either hand on the arm rests, recalling the times Apyrtha was with us. He was the friendliest and the gentlest creature that ever stepped foot on this Earth, a fine reflection of my mother. Despite being as large and intimidating as he was, he never once harmed a hair on my head. In fact, he even came with me whenever I wanted to pick flowers in the Valley. Unless, of course, my mother had something else she needed him for. He never complained, no matter the task.

“Nana!” Talia snapped, breaking me out of my reverie.

I blinked, “Yes, love?”

“What does your Dragon’s name mean?” She wondered. There was a bit of a pout on her face, telling me she had been trying to get my attention for a while before I finally answered her.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was lost in thoughts.” I rubbed my forehead, “My Dragon’s name, as you know, is Raydin. It’s also a name from the ancient language meaning ‘one who breaks through the clouds’.”

“Cool!” Bron’s eyes lit up, “When I get a Dragon, I’m gonna name him Hippo!”

“Hippo?! That’s a dumb name!” Talia argued, her little nose scrunching up with disgust. I was about to interrupt and correct Bron, saying that he wasn’t going to get a Dragon, but I refrained. How could I dash this little boy’s hope? It wasn’t my place. To see him so excited for a Dragon, it would break my heart to have to tell him the truth. I was going to leave that burden to his mother.

“Then what would you call your Dragon?” Bron challenged, crossing his arms.

“Prolly…,” Talia pointed her eyes to the ceiling as she thought, “...Sky Dragon.”

“Lame! All Dragons fly, you idiot!” Bron stuck his tongue out at her. Talia slapped him across the arm with her bunny in a flash of anger. Bron screamed out in pain, hitting back in retaliation. I stepped in immediately, feeling my back ache as I got to my feet to stop the two squabbling siblings.

“Kids! It’s bedtime!” My daughter, Reia, called from the other room. She soon emerged from around the corner, her Dragon on her shoulder with its tail curled around her neck. For easy mobility and to aid their Tamer in whatever task needed, Dragons could adjust their size from large to tiny. For my own Dragon, as we were both gaining in age — a Dragon’s life was only as long as their Tamer’s — I allowed him to stay his original size whenever I entered buildings unless I needed him. I wasn’t going to put unnecessary stress on him where I could avoid it. It was the least I could do for all he did for me all these years.

“Aw, Mom!” Both kids whined in unison.

“I’m not even sleepy!” Talia protested.

“No buts! You want your Dragons when you get older, don’t you? Then you need to get your sleep and eat your vegetables or else none of them will want to bond with you.” Reia threatened. Of course, it was all empty threats to get her children to listen to her. A Dragon was going to bond regardless of how well one takes care of herself prior to her coming of age. Her Dragon swished her tail and gave her a questioning look. She just glanced at her, telling her with a look alone to keep quiet.

“Fine…,” They conceded, slumping their shoulders as they listened to their mother.

“Tell Nana good night and brush those fangs of yours. I’ll be around in a moment to check them before you get changed.” Reia instructed them. Bron and Talia turned around and muttered a good night to me before heading for the bathroom.

My daughter sighed and slumped down on the couch to my right. Her Dragon fluttered from her shoulders down to her lap, curling up with her tail around her body like a cat would and closed her eyes. Reia stroked her idly as she said, “Sorry, they can be a bit much at times.”

“Just like how you were when you were their age.” I laughed.

“How are you holding up?” Reia asked.

“I’m well. My back’s a little sore but otherwise I have no complaints.” I answered.

“I can only hope that I’m half as fit as you are when I get to be your age.” Reia smiled.

“Well, those two will always keep you going so there’s no fear of that.” I told her which caused her to chuckle. It was true: I had only one child whereas she had two — I could only imagine having to chase around two hyperactive kids at once.

Then I remembered Bron’s words which started their little argument, “Oh yes, Reia, Bron seems to think that he’ll get a Dragon as well. I didn’t have the heart to tell him, but I think that you should be the one to break it to him.”

Reia went quiet for a moment, ceasing petting her Dragon. Then she said, “About that… there’s a reason I kept it from him. Well, two reasons, really. First, he’s just a kid, it’s fine if he doesn’t understand right now. The other thing is… have you watched the News recently?”

“I don’t pay attention to that, I don’t want to add anymore stress to my life. Probably why I’m still doing well for my age.” I explained. I furrowed my brows in confusion, “Why do you ask?”

“Well, it’s getting scary around these parts. There have been several reports of women who were murdered inside their own homes at night by unknown assailants.” Reia informed me. I furrowed my brows. I may not follow the News, but I hadn’t heard anyone say a word about this prior to now.

“In this area?” I wondered. If it were in the Valley that these murders occurred, women would have had their Dragons with them at all times that would prevent this from happening. Yet, what would be stopping their Dragons stepping in to help their Tamer? There was no chance that it was from natural causes seeing as it had already been identified as a homicide.

Reia nodded, “In fact, the last victim was a woman two houses down. Sylipha, you know her?”

“Sylipha!?” I exclaimed. She was a younger woman, around Reia’s age, who lived by herself with just her Dragon and a few pets. She was always seen tending to her garden, never failing to greet whomever went by. A person like that wouldn’t have any enemies, “She wouldn’t harm a fly. Why would anyone kill her?”

“That’s exactly what I thought.” Reia agreed, “I feel like any woman with a Dragon is being targeted. Seeing as none of the men in any of the households had so much been harmed. There was Sylipha, Germainie, Carolina… plenty more. I’m just scared, mom. What if they are targeting all of us with Dragons? How far are they willing to go? Would they target you, too? What about Talia who will grow up to one day receive a Dragon? I would die before letting them get to either one of you.”

“Now, now, slow down. It could just be a coincidence.” I tried to calm her down. Though the News was troubling. It did sound like the Tamers in the Valley were being targeted. But that just left one question: Who was doing it? Obviously it was someone who had some knowledge of Dragons if they were able to bypass them to get to the Tamer. Whoever they were they needed to be dealt with and fast.

“There’s just too many to be a coincidence, mom! Listen, stay with us for a couple of nights. I’d hate for you to be by yourself during all this. With the two of our Dragons we could keep a lookout for anything suspicious.” Reia offered. I looked down into her brown eyes which resembled her father’s. She was deeply concerned about this whole thing — and she wasn’t one to get worked up over nothing. Perhaps this was happening: Tamers were being picked off. My heart raced in my chest at the thought.

I smiled at her to try and ease her and my own worries, “Very well, I’ll stay for a bit.”

“Good, because I have your room ready for you. You won’t need to get your stuff.” Reia told me. I blinked at her. Her asking me over for a visit was all a ruse — for my own good, I suppose. This must have been weighing on her mind for a while.

“You thought of everything, didn’t you?” I chuckled, “But what about Raydin? He struggles transforming into his smaller form. I’d hate to leave him out there all night.”

“I can have Milli hang out with him so he’s not all by himself.” Reia looked down to the sleeping Dragon on her lap. Her wings twitched upon hearing her name but didn’t raise her head from her slumber. Reia certainly had her domesticated, for a Dragon.

“That’s fine. He could use the company.” I smiled. My poor Dragon was a bit of a loner type, like myself. He only really interacted with me, and occasionally my family and Milli. Sometimes, at my place, I’ll have friends come over with their Dragon, but two old Dragons don’t do much together besides sleep. Having a younger Dragon around keeps him stimulated a little bit more.

“All right. Milli, get up girl.” Reia gently shook her Dragon. Milli blinked her jade green eyes open then stretched herself out, her claws spreading and her mouth opening wide in a squeaky yawn, “Get outside and transform. Keep Raydin company, please.”

Groggily, Milli followed her direction. She flitted off Reia’s lap and trotted toward the door in a serpentine pattern. I swear, Dragons were just like people but could breathe fire and looked like they could tear you apart from just a gaze alone.

With that, Reia and I continued with our visit, talking and catching up until all hours of the night. I didn’t visit Reia and the kids as much as I should considering Reia was my only daughter. I just figured she had her own life now, she didn’t need her old mother hovering around anymore. But just listening to her go on about those murders, it made me kick myself for not being there for her for comfort and support. She had her boyfriend, but these were fellow Tamers being picked off. Not that he was incapable of helping her out when she needed it, but she wanted to make sure I was all right as well. Reia sometimes put too much on her plate like that — been that way since she was small. I could only hope that by staying for a few nights I put her mind at ease. I could also only hope that whomever was committing these crimes were caught soon.

When we realized how late it was — well, more like my body was telling me how late it was; I was aching all over and felt as though I could sleep for an eternity — we got up and began to get ready for bed.

That was when we heard glass shattering. I paused, my toothbrush in my mouth as I furrowed my brows. I turned to Reia who mirrored my look. We didn’t even have time to ask what that may have been when we heard a shrill shriek.

Reia’s eyes became as wide as saucers, “Talia!!”

We didn’t even hesitate, we sped down the hallway to where Talia’s room was. I spoke to Raydin in my mind, through our bond, telling him that there was something happening and we may need his help. I was sure Reia was doing the same with Milli. Reia got to the door before I did, almost tearing it off its hinges.

There, in the dark of the room, a strange person stood, with Talia in their grip. She struggled as they had her in a tight grasp around her little neck. I took in this person’s form, taking care to look for a miniscule detail that we could use to identify them should they escape. Unfortunately for me, this person was cloaked in a dark hooded robe from head to toe. The only feature on them I could see from the light of the moon peeking through the broken window was a pointed nose and a mouth with a very defined cupid’s bow. Everything else was obscured, everything except…

…the knife they held in their opposite hand.