Valley of Destiny

“Waaahhh!”

The sound of the crying, though distant below in the forest, pierced the cool air. Skyrantin sat far above the trees beside his cave. The cold air softly moved across the cliff and around his body.

“Waaahhh!” The old dragon had become used to the cries now. Their high pitch broke through any wind.

The humans below puzzled Skyrantin. He rested on the ledge pondering about the humans. How can they be cruel to their own, especially the young and innocent?

This thought was more troubling because of the dragon’s past. To this day he helps and protects the villages in this valley from other dragons and beasts. Sadly, the kingdom is increasingly anti-dragon, but still Skyrantin’s honor has kept him protecting what he can. The people here saved his life almost one hundred years ago. His sense of honor keeps him here. He watches the humans and their interesting ways form. Why is it I protect them after they protected me, yet these children are forced to suffer and maybe die?

Skyrantin gazed over the land. His old brown scales still shine enough in the bright fall sun. He took in what the humans below had created once more. The valley had six villages and two major cities. One was in the mountains just south of his cliff. Another further inland to the east, sitting on the meeting of two rivers. The east is more abundant, good for farmland. The western and northern areas have a couple mining towns. The turning trees create a sea of colors and warn of the impending winter months.

Outside of the valley kingdom sits other kingdoms and empires. These ones are ruled all by dragons themselves and their devout monks and followers. One different group of people are to the southeast. This is a desert region with a massive volcano, and Skyrantin knows no dragon goes there. The darker grey skinned beings with silver eyes there are not humans. They attack any outsiders in their land. This has led to them being shrouded in mystery to the humans and dragons alike.

Again, Skyrantin heard the cries of the young boy below. “Waaahhh!”

Suddenly a quick movement in the misty forest caught his eye. A wolf had been hearing the screams of the boy and decided it was time to feast. The slender beast darted through the trees, in and out of clearings to reach the child as soon as it could. Skyrantin decided today was the day he had enough of these ways, and he was going to change things. He tired of the Humans sacrifices of toddlers and babies. He tired of the cries in the forest. Most of all he tired of being the only protector.

Joints aching from the resting on rocks, the dragon stood up and quickly lept off the cliff. He headed straight down to a clearing near the boy in the forest, hoping to meet the wolf in time to stop the soon to be slaughter.

With a second left Skyrantin landed making a loud THUD! Dirt and bits of twigs were flung into the air. The wolf jumped back. Barring its teeth, the wolf was ready to fight. The dragon stayed calm, not wanting to really deal with a fight with such a small creature, shot fire from its mouth directly at the wolf. Seeing this the wolf ran away whimpering.

Skyrantin waited for a moment before deciding to move the child. With the wolf out of sight, the dragon looked down at the small child. He was no more than three. His longer brown hair swayed in the breeze. Looking up at the dragon, almost in awe, were these silver eyes. Skyrantin knew only a few people had this trait, and they all came from the same family.

This was bad for the child. Almost no where he would be accepted. There was only one place he could go. Skyrantin quickly picked up the child carefully in his claws, creating a basket for the boy to sit in, and flew northward, up past the cave Skyrantin rests at.

Within 10 minutes they reached a small village. Here not even the valley empire had reach. This was a good place for this child to live. The village elder say Skyrantin fly in and met the dragon at the towns edge.

“Hello Skyrantin. It has been a long-time old friend. What brings you here today?”

Skyrantin looks down at the woman. And softly he speaks. “I come actually to ask you a favor.”

Puzzled, the woman asks, “What could we do for you? You are our protector.”

“I know. And decades ago, your grandmother and grandfather helped save me when I was being hunted by some rogues. For that I am eternally grateful to your people. But now I need you to protect someone else. A boy actually.” Skyrantin put forward his foot and opened the claws to reveal the boy sitting there, now face to face with another human.

Sharply the woman questioned the old dragon. “Where did you find this child?”

“He was abandoned in the forest below my cave. I was tired of the empire humans leaving children out in that forest and this boy looks special.”

The woman looked closer and saw the silver eyes. She let out an audible gasp. “Those eyes, they are from only one family.”

“Yes. I am afraid so.”

She took the child and gave him to a couple behind her. “We will raise this child but know that by bringing him here you are setting him down a path against his family. We do not like The King of the Valley or those who rule with him, and if this child ever returns, that means he is a claimant to the throne. One they sought to get rid of. He will undoubtably create chaos.”

Skyrantin paused before he spoke. “There will almost certainly be chaos in the main city when this child is old enough to travel. Please teach him skills to survive and fight and teach him the ways of the ancient magic. When he has learned this, he can also seek me at my cave. There I will teach him what I know as well. We must prepare him for his destiny. I believe he is the one the fates showed your people in that prophecy so long ago.”

“The fates showed a boy with silver eyes would bring great change in the valley and for our people.” The woman looked off into the distance. “We will do this for you. Please be more watchful for us. Emperor Lagaies has been getting more aggressive with our settlement to capitulate and pay tribute.” The dragon hearing this bowed his head and opened his wings.

“Oh, one more thing before I leave, what will we call the child?”

The woman looked around at everyone then back at Skyrantin. She smiled and said “Thorin”. Skyrantin gave a smile back the best a dragon could and used his wings to push his large brown body out of the snow and into the sky, knocking off snow from nearby trees.

Years passed, and Thorin grow up training and learning incantations. He gains great proficiency in the skills of swordsmanship and magic. By age 16, according to the day he was brought to the village, he is ready for his journey.

On the day after his sixteenth birthday Thorin ran out of his hut and to the elder woman who spoke to Skyrantin. “Erica! I am finally sixteen. Today I am finally old enough to go out on my own!”

The trees were turning color late this autumn. Frost was creeping down the mountains towards the village. A breeze slid through the trees, collecting small leaves in the air as it goes.

Erica turned to face her son. She still remembers the day he was dropped off, and how scared he looked. Now she sees a smile ear from ear, and a boy ready to face his destiny. “Yes, you are. But you must pass one more trial from our village. One that is your test to become of age.”

Thorin quickly exclaimed “One more! All I have done is…”

“Enough!” Erica scolded quickly. “I have raised you from a young age by the behest of one you know little about.”

“I know some things. First the person who dropped me off is not my real father. And I know I somehow was in the forest, but I forget after that and then am in this village.”

Erica stared deep into Thorin’s eyes. She saw a glint in them. There was a hunger for something. She began again, “True. But now you must learn about your past. Look southwest, and the cliff you see in the distance is where the one who dropped you off lives. Go there and learn your past, so that you can learn your future.”

Thorin frowned. “Why can’t I go ahead and just look for way to become rich or stay here and lead the village?”

“You have to go.” Erica grabbed Thorin tight in one giant hug. He felt the warmth again of who he considered his mother. “Be careful and prepare for anything.” She let go of him and sent him on his way.

Hesitantly he made his way to the edge of the village. He checked to make sure he had his sword, his bag of supplies, and even the magic spell book and bracelet. With that he went off into the woods southwest of Voluspa to meet his savior.

Thorin had left the village with a large coat over his tunic shirt. His feet were covered in fur boots, meant to protect from attacks as much as cold.

After a while of what felt like aimless wandering in the direction Thorin finally came to a mountain pass. Thorin looked at the wall of rock on either side. Paused in his tracks, he tilted his head towards the bright blue sky.

Up near the clouds was a cliff punching into the sky. Thorin grinned and continued up the pass.

Soon the winds became so strong it was painful for Thorin to face it head on. The high rock walls had created channels for the cold air coming down the mountain to flow through, funneling down and picking up intensity all the way down. Thorin felt each blast of air hit with icy pricks.

Eventually He reached closer to the top of the pass. The ground began to level out. The rock walls dissipated, and a large clearing covered in a frost had revealed itself. This was the beginnings of winter. Soon winter will creep down the mountain and across much of the valley.

Thorin walked into the clearing. The wind died off, yielding to a stagnant cold. The grass crunched under his boots. Thankful of his preparations he pushed forward as he neared the last climb.

He could see a path on the other side of the clearing, but a noise caught his attention. To the right, in the trees he heard a crunching of leaves and branches. Frozen in place, Thorin placed his hand on his sword. He watched the trees.

Heart pounding and breath held the noise got closer. Then a dog, about half Thorin’s size came running out. The dog ran at Thorin, and he let it run past. When it turned and faced Thorin again Thorin held up his hand. The dog was calm and stopped moving. It already knew a command!

Thorin decided to reach into his bag, and he pulled out some jerky. He said a spell and in his other hand a small fire started. He quickly heated up the meat and held it out. The dog, not knowing the human in front of him crept forward and took the offering. Thorin patted the dog and the dog jumped on him with love.

“Stop boy!” Thorin said through his laughter. The dog continued to be friendly and loving to a new master until it suddenly stopped.

The dog peered into the forest it just left. It snarled and barred its teeth. Thorin looked too and saw a beast coming out towards them.

It was a large troll, bigger than any near the village. It had white fur and defined muscles. Normally the trolls are aggressive, but no bigger than a bush. This one though was much bigger. Already an aggressive species Thorin knew to get up and prepare for a fight. Trolls are hairy creatures. Nothing was pound for pound stronger than a troll. This troll was big enough to be pulling a log.

The troll approached and the log was swung around like a club. Quickly Thorin said a spell and pulled out his sword, revealing it to be set aflame. The troll charged at him and with a ferocious roar attacked by throwing the log. It hit Thorin in the stomach and sent him flying. The dog barked at the troll but stayed away from the fight.

Thorin on the ground saw the troll charging at him again. He grabbed his flaming sword, knowing it was his only chance, and waited for the right moment. Just as the troll was upon him, he thrusted his fiery blade into the chest of the beast, turning it as he pierced the organs inside. It was a lucky blow in the moment of battle.

The beast fell beside Thorin dead. “Thank the spirits I knew the fire spell” he muttered as he stood. “And that it was a massive target.”

The dog ran to him, checking on his new master. “Hey boy! I forgot you were around. I guess you are now my companion and need a name.” Thorin sat by a tree and checked himself, nothing seemed off. At that moment he also knew he needed a name for this dog. The dog’s black fur had glistened with the ice on it in this bright clearing. The dog’s black eyes met Thorin’s silver ones, and immediately Thorin had the right name. “Halvar! You are now known as Halvar, or the guardian of the rock.”

Halvar seemed pleased and barked a happy agreeance. They soon set off up the path that rounded the rock to the cliff.

It didn’t take too long for the two to make their way to the cliff and its cave entrance. Past the cliff was the valley. Thorin could see the valley trees already changing colors during this season. It created the most beautiful collage of autumn colors he had ever seen.

Little wind seemed to sheer the cliff. The gentle breeze came from the clearing side of the rock where the path to the cave began. The inside of the cave looked dark even with such a large opening a God could probably use it as a door.

Soon a booming voice Echoed from the cave. “Who is out there?”

Thorin and Halvar both jumped back and peered into the darkness. “I… I am… Thorin.” Thorin stammered, barely able to speak comparably with such a voice. “Who are you in a cave far away from others?”

“I will show you.” The voice boomed. Soon a rush of wind left the cave, almost pushing Thorin onto his ass. As he stumbled back up another rush of air blew past him.

Then a massive shadow emerged from the cave. It moved so fast by the time Thorin realized the shadow was there it was gone. Faster than a bolt of lightning the shadowy figure was behind Thorin.

Slowly, he turned around to see giant scaley wings beating air down onto the cliff. With a loud roar the dragon shot fire into the sky. The sword Thorin pulled out of its scabbard dropped to the ground making a clink against the rock. Halvar stood ground beside his new master. It was in this moment Thorin knew he was not going to last.

But the dragon did not attack. Thorin was frozen too much anyway to even find his sword to fight back. The dragon spoke to Thorin, using the powerful, rich voice that was heard from the cave. “I am glad you came to follow your destiny Thorin. It has been so long. I see you were raised well by Erica.”

“How do you know my mom’s name?” Thorin shouted quickly.

The dragon said, “I have known her and her family for a long time.” Thorin still played with his sword, debating on his next action. The dragon continued, “My name is Skyrantin. I and Erica saved you.”

Thorin tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know how a Dragon could have saved him. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“I will come down and land beside you. Do not attack me. I am going to tell you a story.” Thorin nodded and Skyrantin landed on the open cliff beside him. Thorin was unprepared when the ground shook as the dragon touched down. He stumbled while putting his sword away.

Skyrantin had a small pit with some wood in it. Thorin wondered who else may ever visit but shook away that thought. Skyrantin lit the wood on fire. Halvar curled up next to the flames, content with the heat.

“Do you see the forest below?” Skyrantin queried.

“Yes.” Thorin responded, not understanding the reason for such a random question. “Why do you ask? My eyes work fine.”

“It is not a test of your sight. That is where my story begins. It happened thirteen years ago. When I heard the cries of a young child.”

Thorin sat through the story. It was long as Skyrantin enjoyed talking when able. Finally, the story ended and Skyrantin asked one more question. “Since you now know your story, do you wish to know your father and destiny?”

Thorin sat there, taking in what he was told. It was hard to believe, but that would explain why he looked different. Contemplating what he might have to do next Thorin posed a question of his own. “What if I choose to not follow this path you say is my destiny. What if I do something else?”

The dragon tilted its head, the ice on it cracking from the change in form. He looked directly into Thorin’s eyes and said “You will be compelled to do what is right. And you have seen what your mother and her village endure. I know you will choose the path needed.”

“Well, I will decide that.” Thorin hurriedly replied. “Just tell me who my father is.”

“I have protected this valley for decades ever since Erika’s family saved me. Since then, I have seen one family consolidate power and control in this valley. They are the King of the Valley Lothro and his kin. His family is the only family with silver eyes. You are part of that family, but someone deemed you undesirable. Thus, they left you far out in the woods where I found you.”

Thorin for once had nothing witty to say. “I am the son of a king?”

“Almost certainly.”

“And he left me for dead.”

“Yes.”

“You saved me though and brought me to one of the few villages outside his control.

“Yes.”

“What do you think I am to do about him? He is powerful, with an army. And known to be cruel.”

“Thorin, you are special. A prophecy from long ago said a silver eyed boy would change the valley forever.”

“Damn. So it must be me?”

Skyrantin paused, then lit a fire in the mouth of the cave. “Go in and you will find some armor. Take it back to the village. Get it fitted right and begin to build yourself a group that you believe can aid you. Trust your gut. You are a natural leader.”

Thorin went in and found some old leather and iron armor. He put it on. Luckily most of it actually was close to fitting, minus the breastplate. But for that a strap replacement would help a lot. The slight rust buildup on the metal showed the age of this armor. It didn’t even glint the light shining down. Even though it looked rough, Thorin had a smirk while he put on the gear. “This will be great to help again stupid trolls. Wish I had it getting here.”

“Thorin, I am glad you seem eager to start your adventure.” Skyrantin started. “I cannot help you outside of the mountains. I was hunted by Lothro and am stuck to the outskirt mountains and an occasional fight with other dragons. But recently he has found a way to seriously damage me. You have to be careful and watchful.”

“I will.” Thorin stated. Then with a proud smile on his face he beckoned Halvar to follow and thanked the dragon for his help before running down the path to go north to the village.