Caught in the clouds

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley. This is a tale as old as the gold the dragon holds.” The old man said. “Peter, do you know why that valley is named Goldy pond?”

“Because of the Golden Dragon?” Peter answers.

“No. He came later. Long before he arrived, there was a pond in the valley. It always shimmered with gold. It is said that the bottom of the pond is of the purest gold to be found in our kingdom.” The old man continued on, “the king ordered a fort to be built and instructed men to protect the pond, for fish lived in this pond that had never been found anywhere else in the world. Only the king has tasted this delicacy, a gift from the Gods he’d say.”

“What does this have to do with the dragon in the valley?” Arber asked.

“Patience young one, let the tale unfold itself” the old man said.

“A great fort stood in the valley, in front of the gold pond. Two towers sat atop the edges of the valley. Brothers, Joseph and Rend, manned these towers. Their job entailed watching over the land, which they split by dividing the East and the West. The brothers were the 4th generation to guard this valley. Rend was a smart boy, not very strong, but a good shot and wise. Rend watched the West. One day, he missed the Dragon soaring high above, veiling itself in the clouds. Deadly hunters these creatures are.” The old man cracked a toothless smile. “Rend, he looks up to see a shimmering gold beast dive towards the other tower. Its wings ripple in the wind, its gold back brightens, the dragon’s mouth opens and lights up - the white flash of fire melts the tower. Joseph’s tower. It was hot like the sun, and Rend felt its breath at his tower. The dragon pulled up, and he watched as the dragon’s platinum belly returned to the clouds. The dragon cut through the clouds for its second dive.

“DRAGON” Rend called down the tower. Men below began to move and called to arms. Rend dropped his telescope and grabbed the bell rope. He pulled down hard. The alarm sounded, echoing off the valley walls. The fort responded with a beacon. Rend let go of the rope, grabbed his sword and flew down the tower stairs. Rend reached the bottom of the tower and spotted Veric. The boy was grabbing his bow with his back turned to Rend. Rend approached Veric “you must flee my boy, your father has died!” Veric turned upon hearing these words.

Pale, Veric spoke “by God I saw it must fight today. I must kill it for his honor, do you think I'm a coward?”

Rends heart throbbed at these words. “Not a coward, but the sole heir of our family. You must live, Veric, go!”

“Uncle, how am I to live with the shame of leaving you to die alone?” Veric said, “I can’t let you die.”

“You think I’m that weak boy? That you’re sending me to my death? You jest.” Rend said, putting on a false smile. He grabbed Veric’s arm “let’s go boy.” taking Veric out the door. “Go east and don’t stop till you’re in the next town. Tell them this fort is forsaken.” Rend said. The dragon drove towards them. It pulled up suddenly, and the fierce beat of its wings launched Rend and Veric away from the valley. The dragon landed on the tower, and gazed down at the fort. Veric, dazed, rolled onto his back. The sun broke through the clouds, reflecting off the dragon’s golden scales. The beast’s stunning elegance sobered Veric. He looked away to search for Rend. Not in sight. He turned back to the dragon. It shifted its tail, and the dragon’s scales shined to a white gold. Veric feels the heat swelling in the air, originating from the chest of the beast. Fear gripped him, the heat rising quickly. The release of its breath so close, it could melt his armour. Veric stood on weak legs. He began to run east.

He ran, remembering the tale of Sodom and Gomora, noting to not look back. Yet he stopped, there was no sound of flames, no explosion. Veric turned to see the dragon rise up and dive into the valley. Veric watched its tail disappear, and then he turned and ran, following Rend’s command. The old man finished his story. “The end.”

“Really?” Peter said, hands thrown up, “that’s all? No big fight? What happened to Veric? Why did the dragon attack?”

“Yeah come on.” Arber asks. “Are you saying the dragon won?”

“ This is my story. Soon, my boys, you’ll be of age. I call you to finish this tale. Go find the dragon? I give you my quest boys.” Veric said, looking at Arber. “Peter, accompany him on this quest for he will need you. The valley's treasures are yours. Claim the head of the dragon and present it before the king, return his fish; then, glory will be yours, along with all you desire.

“Grandpa, the valley will be ours once again. We will claim the dragon’s head.” Arber said, getting to his feet. Eyes focused overhead a glimmering smile, “We must train Peter.” Peter rose and followed Arber outside.

“One day songs will be sung in our glory.” Peter said. The boys trained. Arber adept at the sword and shield, balanced with Peter’s skills with a bow that had been crafted from years of hunting. Peter rarely missed a mark. The boys trained to veil their movements.

They trained, all the while waiting to come of age to set off for their quest. Reaching the age to leave the village. Arber and Peter hastily packed blade and bow, they left for the ruined fort. Traveling

west for a fortnight, “Arber, perhaps it truly was a tale and there is no dragon. Nobody’s seen a gold dragon, I’ve checked with the village Shaman.” Peter said. “He said the tales of the golden dragons ran dry in the age of Goodnear. He said Goodnear sent a champion to slay the last of its lineage and used the blood for its draconic powers.”

“I am sure Peter.” Arber responded and continued to press forward. “The age of Goodnear is long gone. Anything can happen.” Another fortnight passed; they arrived at the side of the shrouded valley. They stared into the black until they stood by Rend’s crumbled tower. Vines were woven throughout the stones. “I told you Peter. We are here. Let’s rest in the tower and scout in the morning.”

“Very well. Let us rest then find this dragon in the day.” As they entered the tower, they found the stairs had been blocked with rubble. There was space to rest on the main floor, so they set up camp and rested till morning. Both dreaming of honor, riches, power, women, and the thrill of battle. The power of killing this forgotten beast, the only beast to dominate the skies and lands. Their minds' eyes conjuring images of it falling by their blade and bow. They slept till daybreak, awoken by the light of the sun breaking through the crumbling stones. They rose and then ate, preparing their weapons as they did.

“Let us slay this beast, Peter. This will be our conquest: think of the riches, the glory, the power, and the women Peter.” Arber said, clasping Peter’s free shoulder, the other preoccupied by his bow. Arbers lively smile was breaking through his dark beard.

“We shall slay this dragon. We will rule this fort and live as lords.” Peter agreed, matching Arbers smile. “Let us go down into the valley and see where the dragon rests. By God maybe it’s out and we can lay in wait for it.” Peter said, standing up and making his way outside.

“The Gods will be on our side. But the dragon waits down there. I feel it.” Arber said, rising and following Peter outside.

They ventured down the valley side through a baren and long forgotten village. Buildings crumbled and burned stood feebly. They passed through, leaving the ruins to rest undisturbed. Bone fragments scattered the grounds as they walked past sun-bleached corpses of cattle and other livestock. “God let us press forward and avenge those lost here.” Peter prayed.

“We need to set up in a house close to the fort’s gates.” Arber said. Peter agreed with a nod and they headed deeper in.

“There stands the gates, Arber, let us set up in that old alchemist shop, it is not burned.” Peter said pointing.

“Wise.” Arber said. Moving towards the building, the gates could be seen across a short clearing. The fort's gates lay in rotten piles. They approach the Alchemy shop. “Peter get in quick and quiet.” Arber whispered. “Look left, there is a youngling.” Peter opened the shop door wasting no time looking at the creature. Arber slid in behind him and closed the door, careful as he dropped the metal latch into place.

Peter stepped lightly over to a cracked window. He peeked through to spot a small dragon. “It’s about the size of 2 Ox” Peter mumbles. “It’s got something in its mouth.” The dragon was facing away from them and standing over something. The scales are not a bright gold like in the tales, but a weak yellow, and its tale looked rusty.

“Let’s plan a sneak attack Peter. We have time while it eats, but we need to act fast.” Arber said.

“We shall move in slow, I will throw the bottle of acid onto its back.” Arber said. “Peter, get a shot with your bow, it needs to be an eye.”

“Eye. Yes, the shock shall give us the advantage. Let us move before it finishes.” Peter said. Arber opened the shop door and they stepped outside; low and quiet Arber waited for Peter to position himself for a shot. Peter glided through rubble and collapsing buildings. He positioned himself using a fallen cross beam to veil himself from the youngling’s view. Arber moved in, readying his bottle of acid. Peter drew his bow. Arber raised to throw the bottle. Peter releases his arrow, this action very well saving Arbers life; for when Arber threw the bottle,it exploded in the air without reaching the dragon. Before the dragon could react, Peter’s arrow plunged into its eye, burrowing itself deep in the socket. The dragon reared and screamed. It beat its wings to flee. Arber drew his sword and rushed in with a downward slash, attempting to cut its wing. A deep slash is cut into the leathery skin of its wing. The beast screaks, beats its wings to take off and struggles to take balance its wounded wing. A bolt pierces the dirt in front of Arber. Arber catches sight of the large great bow atop the fort. He raises his shield just in time for a second arrow burrow it way into the top of his shield. Arrow presser and the flailing dragon force Arber back into the alchemist shop. The young dragon finding its balance and takes off, flying into the fort. Peter scuttles using the cover of buildings to return to Arber.

“He fires from the fort, the tower closest to us.” Arber said. “That was no dragon fire either, it was a bolt. It seems a human has joined or been enslaved by the dragon.”

“He did not shoot at me, I don’t think he knew of my location. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage.” Peter said.

“He has moved inside.” Arber said, spying out the window. “The Gods favor us Peter, a storm sets in. A divine cover."

Let us go before the rain falls and wait within the fort.” Peter said. In agreement, they left the alchemist building. Thunder began to roll overtop of them, the rain holding off. Upon arriving at the gate they enter easily stepping over broken rotten wood gates.

“By Gods, what they call a fort in those days is a castle of the greatest lords now. Peter, it is ours for the taking.” Arber said with a smile breaking out.

“Let us find that archer, then to the main chamber for the dragon.” Peter said. “Let’s check up near the last sighting of the archer. Pray he is not in the chamber with the dragon.” The castle’s layout was simple, a long wide hall with a stairwell at each end on both sides. Doors lined the walls. They headed up the stairs on the left side. The stairs are old and dust covered tracks are noticeable going up and down. Reaching the roof. They stop to see a man in grey armor sitting at the base of the archer’s nest. A cross bow leans beside him. He watched Peter and Arber come onto the roof. Arber gripped his blade. Peter stepped back behind Arber, notching an arrow.

“You come for blood, sons of man.” Archer said. “Such simple creatures we are. Driven by pride and glory.”

“We are not simple, our quest has been handed down to us. Men held this fort long ago. We are here to claim what our forefathers left.” Arber replied.

“I see, you only understand the will of the blade.” The archer said as he stood, the man places his bow against the stairs of the nest. He pulls with his right hand and blade and the other a vial of amber liquid. Arber readied himself for battle, raising his sword and covering his body with his shield so as to be ready to protect his head. The archer opened the vial with his teeth then poured it on his blade. Then, the archer dropped the empty vial on the ground, pulled a stone and struck his sword. A brilliant white and blue flame emitted from the sword. Seeing the flames, Arber rushed the archer with his shield raised. The archer raised the blade to his face and blew. Amber liquid sprayed with force past the blade and erupted in flames, which landed on Arber’s shield, forcing him to hold position. The flames burned through the wooden parts of his shield, causing Arber to drop it. The archer moved in low, stabbing at Arber. Arber responded by sacrificing his arm to his Blade, using his arm to slide the blade up and away from his body. Parrying the archer, Arber grabbed the shoulder of the archer and plunged his blade through his back. The archer’s face went pale. He made no noise. He slid down Arber, dropping the flaming sword as life left him. Arber stepped back, turned from the man and picked up his blade. Arber examined it, “it is nothing but a regular blade, his power was in the vial of dragon’s flame.” Arber said, and tossed the sword off the fort’s edge. He then returned to the archer’s body and searched it. “Ah, he did have an extra one.” Arber said, and put the vial in his pouch.

“By God, that burn! Arber, let us tend to it before we venture forward.” Peter said. “That was an honorable fight, the archer fought hard and you fought splendidly.” Peter said as he wrapped Arber’s arm. While he tended the wound, their attention was drawn once again to the young dragon leaving the fort. It took off out of the valley. “Wonderful, let us sneak into its chamber and lay a trap.” Peter said finishing up.

“Yes, we slayed the archer and the Gods favor our deed, let us venture on and seek our splendor.” Arber said, taking up his sword. The men returned to the main floor and walked down to the main hall. Arber approached cautiously, the doors ahead lay open and tapestries veiled the view inside. Arber signaled Peter to enter from the other side of the door. Peter moved across the hall and rested against the arch of the doors. They moved in together. When they stepped inside, their eyes instantly fixed upon the monstrous golden dragon.

“Welcome, your presence means the archer is dead.” The dragon’s voice filled the room. “Then you are here to kill me.”

“You are wise, old creature, your speech is elegant for a beast.” Arber said. “I’ll slay you myself and take this place as my own, riches and glory will be mine. You are but the final obstacle. What are you called, dragon? I wish to tell my bard.” Aber said as he popped the vial cap and coated his blade in the oil and lit it. Peter dipped an arrow in the vial and lit the tip with Arbers blade.

The dragon looked left and then right at the sound of their movement, showing cloudy cataract filled eyes. “Arrogant human, I may be old but I refuse to be killed so easily. I am Sardigar, The white flame .” The dragon said scouting them out.

“Arber the beast is blind.” Peter whispers.

“True, but my other senses are heightened son of man.” Sardigar said, lining up on Peter. The beast opens its mouth. Flames welled up. Peter watches the sparks light, reacting to the gathering of flames he sprinted right, drawing his bow. Sardigar heard him move and followed his footsteps, blasting flame along its path. Arber dashed straight for the dragon, carrying him self silently accross the room. His spirit burned like his blade, the silence of his battle tormented him. The blaze of flames engulfs Peter’s retreat. Caught in the corner, Peter awaited his fate, releasing his arrow at Sardigar. Missing.

Arber moved in to strike, saving Peter. Sardigar spoke and swung its head toward Arber, “I can still smell you boy.” Sardigar’s head connected with Arber’s side, throwing him back. Peter, using the window, moved back into the center of the room using Abers crashing body as cover. He loaded his arrow and aimed at the cataract in the dragon’s eye. Peter missed and strikes its Scale protected face. Sardigar lunged at Peter as he fell onto his back, Sardigar take the opportunity and bite Peters legs. Sinking its teeth into the mark, it ignited its flame, instantly vaporizing Peter. Arber took the opportunity to lunge at the dragon as well. As he watched the dragon vaporize his brother, Arber cleaved his blade down on Sardigar’s neck. The flames exploded and roared, Sardigars scales melting and splitting as the flames boosted Arber’s down force. Sardigar’s flames died out, his good eye fixing on Arber’s location. Sardigar twisted his head to get Arber. Moving his neck, the wound enclosed on Arbers sword. Aber drew back down on the blade, pushing it deeper into Sardigars neck and slid out. Blood drained from Sardigar.

“Run boy.” Sardigar said, the dragon then let out a screech, shocking Arber who stood by its mouth. Arber, covering his ears, stumbled back. He watched the dragon’s blood pour out onto his hoard, causing a simmering lake of red and gold. Arber looked over to the door to see a young boy looking in horror at the dragon. The young dragon stood at the door with the boy. Arber readied his blade with one hand and covered his ears with the other. The flames of the blade roared high with Sardigar’s blood. Arber watched the boy hop on the dragon's back. “I’ll be back when you least expect it”. As the boy spoke, the dragon turned to leave, “and hell fire is coming with me.” The dragon and boy flew out of the valley. “They will be back” Sardigair said using the last of his breath. Arber collapsed onto the floor resting against Sardigars neck, blood pooling around him. Looking around him he see mounding against the walls the dragons hoard, the beast laying dead on its most prized possession's, the dragon blood seeping down thought the gold the slowly dying flame reflects off all the Arber has claimed at the cost of his only friend. Arber Get up to search for any remains and finds nothing, no amor nothing is left from the sun like heat the dragon produces. Arber returning to his riches drops to his knees and picks up his coins and jewels. " It is ours my friend, Lets rule for ages to come" Arber said holding strong from the pain invading his body and mind, his heart long broken. "I will restore this valley for you peter" Arber said.