The Valley

There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

For many years, they stayed upon their high peaks, gliding through the air streams and resting within the caves. Towering mountains were maintained by those living in the Valley and the mighty wyverns protected the inhabitants from unwanted travelers. The relationship was symbiotic and harmonious. Eggs would be hatched, and their mothers would bring them for a visit to the little town. Babies would be born, and the mothers would present them to the dragons for a blessing.

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley, until one fateful day that haunts the memories of any who survived.

Far away, a King heard rumors of a town protected by these ancient beasts. His power hungry council urged him to take action and prepare for the worst. They spun tales and wove lies to turn the King into a fear filled monarch. Terror tore through the kingdom while the councilmen held secret their true desire. Many moons before, a traveling camp of adventurers told many tales of old ruins and paintings they discovered depicting a ritual used to create powerful weapons that cannot be destroyed by any mortal device.

“Slay the beast with mighty blade,

Trapped inside the soul will stay.

Strength will grow, infects the metal,

Power stays within this vessel.”

The councilmen pushed for opposition to this small town, spreading rumors of war, claiming the vile beasts must be slain! "They have brainwashed the small town into doing their bidding! It is only a matter of time before the come to our humble kingdom and do the same!" They would shout. "We must take a stand, and save those poor, poor souls!" They would wail.

With this grand theme of being the 'saviors' of this 'poor, poor village', citizens were flooding the barracks, ready to go to war with the evil dragons.

Soon, a vast army was upon the village. Despite their best attempt to fight back, the town was no match for an entire kingdom. Mages and bowmen were armed, prepared for nearly everything. The great dragons appeared, soaring in for the rescue, but it was all in vain, for that was exactly what they were wanting.

Nets made from thick chains were launched by massive catapults, trapping the great wyverns. With no way to fight back without injuring themselves, the town and it’s mighty protectors were destroyed in one day. The army, beaten but victorious, returned home, leaving the Valley smoldering and filled with the remains of the inhabitants.

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley, now their bones are all that remain. The ground has been deemed cursed, as the heat released from the dying dragons scorched the earth. Without the proper covering, your skin will melt just from being near it.

Swiftly, I wrap my arm, hoping the burns would lessen. I’ve learned the truth of that curse the hard way. The Valley is now uninhabitable, but not all of the dragons that were left are truly gone. Despite it being over one hundred years since the tragedy, one of the wyverns had been holding eggs within her.

And they still remained, waiting for the proper ritual to hatch them without their mother.

I clutch two eggs to my chest, unable to carry more. I was incapable to staying longer, as soldiers were appearing to scout out the area. Perhaps they have learned of these eggs, but it doesn’t matter. I have collected many of them, and I will bring back the mighty beasts of the sky. Flipping the hood back over my head, I quickly make my way back up the mountain as the moon slowly rises, it’s soft blue glow illuminating my path home.

I will bring back the dragons in the Valley.