A Home for the Ages

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. They appeared when Rafi’s grandfather was just a boy, the reason still unknown even after all these years. A cool breeze wafted against Rafi as he crested the tallest hill surrounding the aptly named Dragon Valley. Morning sunshine filtered through the haze, casting long shadows in front of him. Birds flitted about, their songs blending to form a pleasant melody. Healthy, green trees lined the path he had traveled, the scent of pine strong in the breeze. In the decades since the Dragons arrived, this place had been off limits to most, only a select few Mages from every race allowed to enter. Even so, they could be killed on a dragon’s whim or from a poor choice; the latter was more likely.

A shimmer in the air met him, the protection spell surrounding the valley still in place after all these years. Both to keep the Dragons in and to protect the rest of the world, the spell needed constant tending, the effort shared by the races with magical abilities. A few people had breached the barrier over the years, most succumbing to either the intense temperatures or now rested amidst the dung piles on the valley floor. Yet not since King Victor Slanoth the First, who ordered the creation of The Barrier, had any Dragon escaped.

No, not escape. The Dragons weren’t prisoners exactly. Rafi believed all races, including the Dragons, could live in harmony. An altruistic view, but one shared by many in the lands. But to do so, the Mages needed to be able to communicate with the winged beasts, to understand what it was they longed for. He adjusted the pack on his back, the Tomes of the Speakers inside a reminder that he still had much to learn.

Rafi held out a closed fist. The ruby encrusted ring on his finger pierced the barrier. A high-pitched whine reached him as a tingle rippled up his arm. The magical obstacle split like a seam, wide enough to allow him to stride through unharmed. The barrier closed as a wave of arid heat burst upon him. The wind, which moments ago had been cool, now blew like a blacksmith’s forge. Inside the magical barricade, everything looked weary. What trees there were on the hillside curved toward the ground, blackened and leafless branches rustling in the stiff breeze. The dry air rooted its way into him; his two waterskins must last the day. Intense nausea hit him, and he staggered back.

Been here ten heartbeats, and I’m already affected.

Rafi closed his eyes and chanted. In his mind, he formed a shield around himself, one that would travel with him until he reached Sanctuary. Starting on his left side near his stomach, warmth spread throughout his body, distinctive from the valley’s hot breath. It quickly expanded, enveloping him like a heavy blanket, yet one that did not restrict his movements. The flood of warmth diminished to a tolerable level, although the closer he got to the valley floor, the less protection the enchantment would offer. The odor vanished too, yet the fetid aroma would return the longer he stayed. However, bile still rose, the acid making his throat raw.

The empty field below hid the fact that the ancient beasts slumbered in their caves, an occasional flame thundering from dark openings. Various charred structures still stood; the valley had once been home to a few thousand settlers. Dark rips stained the valley floor, massive claw marks creating random patterns in the scorched land. Immense piles of dung littered the earth and many animals foraged near the excrement; the natural fertilizer created a lush plant life oasis for them to feed upon. Even through his magical shield and still a half day’s walk from the protection of Sanctuary, the smell of manure and sulfur threatened to overpower him.

Three travelers lined the snaking pathway down into the valley, all covered like Rafi: two wore brown cloaks and one donned the tan of the Elves. Wide-brimmed hats and Flatshoes strapped to their backs completed their look. Rafi kept his boots on for now, time enough before the unstable valley floor required the flat ones. One of the mages sported a bright purple feather on the back of his cloak and a lock of red hair flopped in the breeze—must be Yahna—whilst the other two adorned the fiery stones of the Rathana. Rathanese… Rafi grimaced, turned his head, and spat on the smoldering ground. A brutal race yet strong. They were the ones who’d cast the initial spell that protected the rest of the world from what lay in this valley.

Shaking his head, Rafi focused on the task at hand: making his way to Sanctuary. “They’ll get there before me.” The words fell out of his mouth as he set upon the winding path, setting a brisk pace. He didn’t want to be late for The Choosing, knowing the worst jobs were given to the late arrivals. Shadows spilled in front of him as he descended, the still thriving plant life at the ridge giving way to dry, brittle branches. His long strides kicked up dust behind him, and he closed the gap between himself and the other mages quickly.

An ear-piercing roar boomed throughout the valley. Rafi dashed behind a lifeless tree, its blackened trunk two paces wide. As he peered out, fire careened from cave on the opposite side of the canyon, followed by a massive Wyvern. Horimir! Rafi’s wide smile etched across his face as the majestic creature strode into sight. Her cry ripped through the stale air, and Rafi’s enthusiasm grew. Oh, how I’d wished to see her again! Yet deep within, Rafi’s heart rumbled. Anger… or hate, attacked him in waves.

Horimir leapt into the air, her two sets of wings beat quickly, a blur of motion. A unique dragon, she looked like a massive hummingbird. Debris flew from her dark gold overlapping scales, pelting the landscape. The majestic creature growled again, red fire spitting from her open maw. On the valley floor, various wildlife scattered, herds of animals running in every direction.

More dragons took up the call as flames and thunderous howls filled the valley. A few more scrambled out of their own caves, some chasing flames, others not. A Wyrm named Blortil slithered out of one hole and scooped up a group of animals that foraged near him, swallowing beast and earth in one smooth motion.

Rafi and the other mages continued to hide. Even from this far away, the mythic creatures could be upon them in moments if spotted. Horimir swooped high, higher than the top of the valley. She hovered in the air then let loose a flood of flame, the lava-like flow flying above her. Where the molten fire hit The Barrier, the lava seemed to merge with the magic, leaving a black scar hovering in the sky. Flakes of ash fell, cascading to the valley floor, the sunlight blocked out as if from a passing cloud. The wound slowly healed, the barrier’s magic adjusting to the attack.

The Wyvern swooped low and cast a flame that burned ground and animal alike. She perched atop a small, charred hill, a spine numbing screech flooding the countryside. Other beasts joined her cry, the sound reverberating within the enclosed canyon.

Rafi covered his ears, his hands offering little protection from the cacophony. He had heard this call many times in his year and a half at Sanctuary, yet thus far, none of the Speakers had been able to decipher its meaning.

The Barrier appeared to shake as pinpoints of light pulsed across the entire obstacle. Ripples of rainbows danced in the sky and undulated like waves from the Dragons’ combined call. Such a beautiful sight! Yet for the Dragons, a prison was still a prison.

But it was necessary, for now.

As one, the Dragon voices ceased, echoes dancing around the confines of the surrounding hills for long moments after. Horimir raised her long neck to the sky and froze, looking every bit like a statue.

The trio of mages huddled behind a burnt tree trunk fifty paces ahead. Rafi waved his arms and chanted, the words lost upon the breeze. He took his time, not wishing to have his spell fail. In moments, his skin blurred into a transparent mist. He huddled his pack against him and slinked out from his hiding place. Standing in full view of the valley and of the Wyvern hundreds of paces away, Rafi waited.

The Council of Mages, specifically Spellcaster Thonley, had warned against using magic away from Sanctuary. “Be wary of any casting within The Barrier.”

Rafi had responded with a hint of dismissal. “That’s what you’re supposed to say, Master Thonley.”

“Mind me, apprentice—”

“Not an apprentice anymore! I’m a second level caster, a Speaker too! Almost ready for—”

Master Thonley raised a bony hand. “Manners are taught to first levels. Apparently, you skipped those lessons, young one.”

Yet Rafi had cast many a spell within The Barrier away from Sanctuary, although he kept his distance from any Dragon while doing so. Spells didn’t always work as intended when too close to one of the massive beasts, a lesson some failed to learn soon enough.

The other mages still huddled behind dried brush as Rafi meandered toward them. Each glowed a faint white from the protection spell they had woven. Even though his own spells held, the unrelenting and exertion drained him quickly. His panting grew louder as he dashed from dried out tree husk to brittle bush, hiding when he could. However, the closer to the valley floor he got, the fewer hiding places existed.

The stench and powerful waves of heat seeped in through his spell, tiring him further. Rafi picked up his pace to a jog, closing the gap between himself and the other mages. His breathing loud in his ears, he rounded a small rise and skidded to a stop next to the others, kicking up dust as he slid. He let his masking spell drop as he huddled next to his fellow mages.

“Quiet, you oaf! You tryin’ to kill us?” Yahna’s whisper came out as an accusation, and Rafi smiled at him.

“What’s the fun in that?” Rafi adjusted his pack as the sweat careened underneath his cloak. Dust from his journey clung to his throat, a swig of water thickening it into something like mud. He coughed and spat out the filth then drank deep, the pure drink cleansing and fulfilling.

The two Rathanese glared at him then huddled close together, their own words too quiet for him to hear. Their hoods masked their faces, although it was tough to read their expressions under ideal conditions.

Long moments crept by, the four trapped a hundred paces from the valley floor. With what sounded like a loud bark from a wolf, the Wyvern leapt off the hill and swooped low. She circled the landscape, flying past cave openings. Horimir called out as she glided across the valley, a different tone than any other. The massive dragon passed over the Mages and doused them in shadows. Did her eyes linger on us?

*WARNING*

Rafi’s head jerked up as his insides twisted; the word pummeled into him, lasting only moments. The Wyvern glided across the valley and landed in front of the cave she’d come from, releasing a different sounding screech before striding into the dark cavern.

He chuckled. Every time the giant beasts approached what he believed were their personal caves, they let out a distinctive sound, like a screech of iron ships colliding with each other. Almost as if they were announcing they had arrived home.

The handful of other Dragons made their way back to their own caves, each letting out their own unique ‘I’m home’ call as they slithered into the darkness. In moments, the valley floor lay still. No beast, dragon or other, meandered about.

Without warning, the two Rathan Mages strode away. Rafi and Yahna glanced at each other, sighed, and rose to their feet. “Better catch up to ‘em.” Rafi clapped Yahna on the back and followed.

Behind and above him, more mages entered the valley, heading to Sanctuary. Wonder if they saw the rainbows or felt the Dragon’s call. He was too far away to see which tribes they belonged to, but the eight wound their way down the dry hillside, following the same path that Rafi and the others had.

Rafi reinforced his protection spell. Boiling temperatures and the acrid stink fled, replaced with what he could only describe as anguish. Confused by this, Rafi moved faster, his eyes shifting about. Everything around him lay silent, peaceful. Yet something wasn’t right. He caught up to the Rathanese and sped past them without noticing.

“Wait, Rafi!” Yahna’s whisper cut through the air, but Rafi kept moving.

He stopped at the edge of the valley floor and donned his Flatshoes. Before the others could catch up, he dashed off. The ground within the valley changed; rocky dried brush morphed into a flat riverbed, the packed fine sand showing no tracks as the constant stiff breeze cleansed it. Already winded, Rafi pushed the weariness aside. A strange rumble ran up his legs and he staggered.

One of his Flatshoes caught and he tumbled, landing headlong in the fine dust. His one shoe had begun to sink into the earth, slowly pulling him down. He scrambled and pulled his leg free. The ground behind him looked no different from anywhere else in the valley, flat and unchanging. But as Rafi stared at the place his foot had caught, an imperceptible difference appeared. The ground churned; earth rose and pulled the top layer of soil down. The Flatshoes offered protection, spreading his weight over a larger area. Yet with his speed, he hadn’t been able to keep his balance.

Slower this time, Rafi plodded ahead, his eyes focused on each step. Yet within, turmoil reigned. Anger, frustration, and terror rippled through his mind. Not terror… an intense, uncontrollable rage. The emotions pushed against him, penetrating his spell and rummaging through his mind. His body tensed as he looked around at the empty valley, expecting to see a Dragon careening toward him. Yet nothing was there.

Past a gentle rise, butted up against a rocky hillside, Sanctuary appeared, its vine covered building the only intact structure in the entire valley. Stone walls, twenty paces high, surrounded the area; they afforded no protection from the winged serpents, but it did give a tether for the magic to cling to and reinforce. Behind the barricade, the stone building of Sanctuary shone bright, a similar mist to Rafi’s own protection spell enveloping it. Windows stood open, drapes buffeting in the breeze. All was peaceful, yet Rafi’s insides twisted with urgency, and chunks of his morn meal rose in his throat.

The banner of the Council of Mages billowed atop the only spire, a simple blue wavy background with a hooded red eye centered within a yellow sun. A small stream ran from the building into a courtyard, settling in a large pool. Grass, green and lush, surrounded Sanctuary, a stark contrast to the death around it. Herd animals drank from the pond and a few people milled about, hoisting long poles.

Still a quarter mile away, raw fury grew inside Rafi. His jaw ached from clenching his teeth. His eyes darted about; the other mages seemed unaffected by whatever was causing him concern. What is this? Safety lies just steps away.

Deep within Rafi, a rumble began. Subtle at first, it grew into a thunderous clamor. His protection spell flickered as heat blasts like that from a furnace slammed into him. His hands shook as Rafi swayed. Waves of hatred echoed in his mind, and he skidded to a stop as his vision clouded.

Across the valley, a shriek ripped through the air. As he spun toward the sound, Horimir exploded out of her cave. Flames erupted, tendrils of fire sticking to her golden scales. Other dragons shouted in response, the thunderous racket rippling across the vale as they rushed out of their resting places.

His vision cleared as nausea bubbled up, his legs weak, each step more difficult than the last. A quick glance behind revealed Yahna and the Rathan mages sprinting his way, avoiding the area where he’d stumbled.

His own legs drug him down, his muscles straining to keep him upright. Step. Lift. Step. Sanctuary grew closer, yet the rage within swelled. From across the valley, Horimir leapt into the air, a shriek, *LIES*, reverberated within The Barrier. What lies? What has happened?

More dragons took flight or slithered toward them, dozens of the massive beasts. The ground shook, sending him sprawling in the fine dust again. Somehow, the other mages had kept their balance, Yahna pulling Rafi to his feet as the group sped past.

Horimir circled the Valley as the four staggered ahead, the protection of Sanctuary mere steps away. Yet they were too slow. Flames belched from the Wyvern’s maw, a cascade of liquid fire that burned everything it touched. Between them and Sanctuary flames raged, preventing the Mages from reaching safety.

Why didn’t it kill us?

Another word reached him then. *FREEDOM*

Rafi’s voice stuck in his throat as the plea washed over him. I’ve been gone just two tendays. What has happened?

From within Sanctuary, other mages burst forth, attacking the flames that lay within steps of the holy site. Rafi and his companions added their own spells to the mix. A shimmer filled the air, similar but different from the protection spell. Ripples of energy cascaded against him, the Dragon’s innate power on display. Many castings missed the mark, the misty protection flying in random directions within the waves. In moments, the Mages had doused the fire, a black scar and wafting smoke the only memory of the attack.

Up the hillside where the other eight mages were, flames danced about. Screams from his fellow mages reached Rafi. Yet there was nothing to be done. He hoped they could find protection, but the entire slope lay in flames, and shelter was scarce to begin with.

Overhead, Horimir shrieked again. Other Dragons joined her as they swooped toward the weary party.

Rafi, Yahna, and the Rathan mages slipped behind the spell protecting Sanctuary as Horimir sent another flood of flames toward them. Like The Barrier high overhead, the spell diffused the fire, leaving a charred black streak floating in the air before them. Pulses of energy forced its way through the barricade, knocking Rafi and the others back. More Dragons sent flames and lava at Sanctuary, a constant barrage that blotted out the sun. The smell of sulfur permeated the area and a few mages vomited from the overpowering stench. Rafi lay sprawled on the ground, breathing heavy, his own protection spell a distant memory.

Why are they attacking?

“Speakers! To me!” A voice careened within the pristine grounds of Sanctuary. A white-bearded mage, Spellcaster Thonley, stood at the entrance to the building, waving for others to join him within the solid walls. He held a tall staff, a pure white light beaming from the tip casting uneven shadows across the verdant field. Other Mages spewed forth, their chanting reinforcing the wall surrounding Sanctuary. Some, Speakers like Rafi, sped toward safety.

Rafi rose to his feet, glancing at his Master, then at the nearby wall. Heat blasted him as the Dragons kept up their relentless attack. Yahna panted nearby, resting his hands on his knees. The Rathan mages huddled next to each other, their arms waving as they crafted a spell together.

The Dragon’s had focused their attack on one section of the wall near Rafi, the relentless barrage weakening the protection. The other Mages within Sanctuary were too far away to do something before the wall would fall. The barrier shimmered; the spell wouldn’t last.

“Follow me!” Rafi’s yell reached Yahna and the Rathan mages. He sprinted toward the failing barricade, his cloak and face singed from the onslaught. He brushed it aside and dug deep within, drawing every bit of magical energy he could muster to reinforce the protections. His entire body tensed, the intense emotions from the Dragons bombarding his mind. Yahna appeared next to him, white mist tendrils flowing from his fingertips. Even the Rathanese joined in and sent their own spells into the barrier.

The magical wall brightened, the black scars retreating as the combined magic of the four worked to repair the damage. Rafi’s beating heart pulsed in his ears, mixed with his breathing. He staggered, dropping to one knee. His energy all but depleted, the world spun. His spell flickered then went out and he found himself sprawling on the cool grass.

Flashes of blurry images assaulted him as shrieks reverberated within the valley. Rafi’s stomach swirled and churned, acidic bile flying from his mouth. A plea reached him. A voice he recognized as Horimir’s.

*HELP*

*PROMISE*

The powerful plea cascaded through him, yet he was powerless to do more than huddle on the ground. Tears streamed down his face, tiny dewdrops bathing the blackened grass.

Yahna shot past him toward Sanctuary as the flood of hot air intensified.

*LIES*

The word burned in Rafi’s mind, and he shrank further into the charred landscape. A scream left his lips, but the sound was drowned out by the roaring fire and screeching dragons. He crawled toward the Rathan mages who still battled to restore the protection. They cast their energy at the barricade, the pair glowing white as pulses reinforced the wall.

Somehow, Rafi staggered to his feet and focused within. One step, then another. He had to reach the mages and pull them back. Even with their combined might, the wall would collapse at any moment.

A thunderous deafening bellow came from somewhere beyond the barrier, then a torrent of fire assaulted Sanctuary. He shrieked as his skin bubbled, the edges of his cloak sparking and smoldering. He reached out to one of the Rathan fighters as the wall burst inward. The three were flung back, landing twenty paces from where they had fought. Rafi’s vision swam, yet he forced his way to a standing position.

The Rathan mages lay sprawled in front of him, flames dancing on their cloaks. He flung off his own and smothered the fire. Rafi’s throat burned from the torrent of flames ravaging the safety of Sanctuary. Other mages rushed toward the group, sending wisps of energy ahead of them. Yet their spells offered little relief; they were too far away to help. Yahna, whose red hair mirrored the color of the flames around him, shuffled to where Spellcaster Thonley stood.

Turning, Rafi reached for the fallen Rathanese, pulling one to his feet and shoving him toward the building and safety. He gripped the collar of the unconscious mage and pulled, needing to get distance between themselves and the fire that spilled into Sanctuary’s grounds.

*LIES!*

The intensity of the word, the accusation, forced Rafi to his knees. Flames wormed their way along the grass, hunting for its next victim. The fire shot forward, directly at Rafi and his unconscious companion.

Rafi rolled to the side, reaching out to pull the fallen mage out of the line of fire. His hand slipped, the fabric slick from sweat and dust. Flames engulfed the Rathan mage, his screams of pain competing against the shrieks of the Dragons. Rafi fought his way forward as the air burned. NO!

The mage’s cries rose to a fevered pitch as Rafi forced another spell from his tortured body. A cold mist thrust from his outstretched hands, enveloping the Rathan, dousing the flames. Shaking his head, Rafi staggered forward and scooped the limp body from the charred ground. Something knocked against him and he went flying, the breath knocked from his body. He lay on the grass as sounds of fighting and dying floated around him. Smoke burned his lungs, wracks of coughing further torturing his overworked body.

“You let him die!” A gruff voice reached him, the brown robes of the Rathan covering his sight. “It should have been you! Lowlife cretin!” Pain radiated from Rafi’s face then his torso. He wrapped himself into a ball as more blows reigned down.

I didn’t… tried… too weak…

“Hold, Apprentice!” A shape appeared next to him, the dark gray robes of the Council of Elders blotting out the sky.

The attack stopped as Spellcaster Thonley’s face came into focus. Streaks of soot smeared his face, his once pure white beard stained black. He lifted Rafi and rushed away from the garden. Rafi’s head bounced as he was carried away. But the image of the lifeless Rathan, cradled in the arms of his companion, bore deep within.

Above him, the barrier began to clear, the black scars overtaken by the misty white protection spell. The sounds of fighting diminished, yet the stench of burnt flesh crawled into his nose. Calls from the winged beasts receded, as did their attacks on Sanctuary. In the distance, Horimir’s telltale screech filled the valley—I’m home—then silence.

Master Thonley’s face hovered over Rafi. “You’re safe, young one. The attack has ended.”

Rafi reached up and grasped his master’s robe. As the Spellcaster looked down, Rafi’s voice croaked.

“Lies…” The word fell from Rafi’s lips as darkness enveloped him.