Desolation Valley

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Long before anyone can remember, this was a dead place. Rock so dry even the sand had vanished, no sign of grass or even desert plants, let alone beasts or birds. Any that passed through the valley would perish in short order, and so terrible was the place that any bones left from then became as ash. Even those who followed the gods decided this place was beyond their patrons powers. Then they came, from the deep stories of myth.

Dragons didn’t exist in any known kingdom, not for many centuries. Only the Vaties people lived long enough to remember them, otherwise they were monsters for gallant knights to fight and slay. Children delighted in the fables of golden hordes and titanic battles. That changed one the Day of the Frozen Sun, a day the great golden orb pales to a shinning white as if covered in ice. A day of celebration and merrymaking, this time a day of confusion. High noon, the sky glowing white, and the sun shattered.

The echoing of broken glass filled the air, shards of light rained from above, and shadows thundered toward the earth. The few with their senses looked up, and they saw them. Massive of size, carried on great wings, the reptiles of myth returned to the world. Panic filled the hearts of all peoples across the world, but nothing happened. No monster attacked, no princess was taken, and not gold stolen. The myths had been wrong, the dragons did not seek war. Instead they all tuned toward the valley, Desolation Valley it was called then. What they did then was both miraculous and terrifying. From their mouths flowed fire, water, mist, magical energy. Those that did not have this breath shaped the land with massive claws and tails, and more still spoke words of power. They reshaped the valley, the rock and dried riverbeds being covered in water and green. Trees were raised, animals returned, it was a paradise. Desolation valley, as massive as any three kingdoms combined, changed from wasteland to flourishing dragon country. It was a amazing, unbelievable, and terrible.

The holy men could not give answers to their followers, kings and councilors could not guess the purpose, mage and sage alike could not figure out how this happened at all. Now there was a land of dragons, who could do what the gods could not, in the very middle of the known world. The most worrisome fact of this, was that no one could challenge they great reptiles. In the beginning the more belligerent nations attacked, raising their armies to invade the now verdant land. They died, quickly and in great droves. Whats more, the mages tried to speak to the dragons with magic and basic words. The great beasts did not respond, nor give any clue to their intention. And so from this moment they explorers guild came to fruition.

People of all kingdoms, all races, were brought together for a single purpose. They were to explore Desolation Valley, now the land of Wyrms, and learn all they could. What the dragons wanted, why they didn’t attack, weaknesses, anything at all. For more than fifty years the guild has held strong, sending legion of soft footed explorers to stalk the now verdant land. These were not warriors, for warriors were useless against dragons. These were fleet footed scholars. And on this day, two of them would become legend

Chapter 1: Joy of Wonderment

The fortress bustled with movement today, far too long since that happened felt most of the servants. The massive building was made of ebony stone, towers lined with archer racks now lined with tapestries and banners. Built at the edge of Desolation Valley in days long past, on the unlikely but possible change of enemy invasion through the wasteland, it was the foremost staging point for the guild. It fell to disuse five years prior, after an entire contingent of explorers perished after only a days trek into the Valley. The guild had stopped all missions and passes, choosing instead to rebuild and retrain their members, waiting for the right day to try again. Today was that day.

Moving through the hustle and bustle of servants and laborers moving cargo and supplies two youths just into adulthood scampered and ran. Many older persons looked at then, some with sour faces expecting the two to act their age, others with a smile remembering their own younger days. The pair in the mad dash did knock over many an item, nothing precious but certainly not pointless.

“Tartin, stop worrying about the boxes and hurry up! If we don’t register soon we wont get a pass!” one of the two said, a woman with chestnut hair pulled back and tied tightly. She had a round face with gleaming eyes, one red and one green, a few freckles to match. Unlike most women she did not wear a dress, though that was to be expected of someone approaching the explorers profession. Instead she wore fitted trousers with leather boots, a slightly tighter tunic with a waistcoat to keep it in place. It was only her slightly above average curves that let on she was a woman.

“Kiona, we don’t need to rush, we have till a dragon appears or the sun sets!” The man, now called Tartin responded. It took a single glance to see the two were siblings. Though obviously male, Tartin faces was only more angular that Kiona’s, with the same colored eyes, though flipped around. He had a slimmer physique than most men his age, noticeable muscle but not large, fit for running and sneaking instead of battle. It would appear his choice of profession was well thought out in that regard. His clothing matched the woman’s though most loosely fitted with sleeves rolled up.

“Only the lazy act like that. We’re explorers, we don’t have the luxury of being lazy.” She countered. Tartin sighed.

“Actually we do. As we’re exploring we decide when and where to go.” Tartin said. Suddenly he was struck in the head by a wooden cup. Kiona glared at him, gripping his arm and pulling. He didn’t know where she pulled the cup from but he wasn’t going to question his sibling. “Why did I have to have an assertive sister.”

“I balance out your meekness. Now stop your blubbering, we have exploring to do!” she said back.

Despite Kiona’s rush, they truly weren't pressed for time. When they reached the Fortress keep it was a hodgepodge of individuals from different kingdoms, all in line for a pass. The rush only gave them five minutes extra time, if that. Kiona groaned, but Tartin smiled quietly, pulling a book from one of the shelves provided. The guild masters knew this might happen apparently. Still, in due course the had filed the paperwork and were ready to depart with the others. Instructed to approach the front courtyard facing the valley, the once grant portcullis removed and simply laid open, they along with the others stood watching a raised platform. An aging many, bald but with a pure white beard long as his knees, stood and gazed at them.

“Guild Master Vicon, eldest member and founder of the guild.” Tartin said.

“I’m well aware who he is. Don’t let my pretty face fool you, I do study you know.” Kiona replied.

“I’m well aware, I just like to hear myself talk. As for pretty, eh.” Tartin said back. What might have been a jab at any other woman was clearly sibling banter, for both smiled brightly. They went dead silent when Vicon spoke,

“My new explorers, I bid you welcome.” he began. “Some of you know this, some might not, but on this very day fifty years hence, I founded this great enterprise, full of fear and suspicion. That fear turned to wonderment and arrogance, for five years hence I sent out the largest force we ever have, and they did not return. On that day we were humbled.” he spoke solemnly. For a moment the ancient voice filled them with dread, but then he smiled. “But, that humility has never tarnished our wonder. We learned from it, and we will never send anyone into such a doom again. Wonder must be tempered, not exploited. And now, a better teacher than I will show that.”

The old man went quiet again, but the air was not silent. Wind picked up, and a great flapping sounded off. They could all feel the air hit them with force, and saw a great shadow on the ground. Looking up as one ever explorer to be went wide eyed and slack jawed. A true dragon, with glittering scales of crimson and jade, flew above them. It was massive, the clouds twisting around his form and light from the sun reflected off its scales. It dove, thundering down to just above the fortress, terrifying everyone, but with a single flap of its wings it was back in the air. The force sent most of the people to the ground, but the dragon stayed aloft and rose. With a roar it belched streaks of flame that crystallized instantly, spreading them like a rain of jewels with wing flaps. No one could look away as it retreated into the valley, no one could form words. This was what the guild promised, amazing sights, a bit of danger if you aren't careful, and most of all, wonderment.

For Tartin and Kiona, however, it was different. For them it wasn’t just wonderment, it was a longing. Both looked to each other, confused and worried. They had felt more at ease as the approached the valley, but this was different. They had never seen a dragon before.

“I think we’re here for a reason.” Kiona stated. Tartin only nodded his agreement.

There was little more for them to contemplate on. Vicon had told them to ready final checks, for they would move out soon. Everyone had picked supplies offered, had a route to start with, and set to go. Vicon spoke once more.

“You’ve seen a taste of whats out there. With heavy heart I see you off, with jealous zeal I watch as you go. My explorers, you are brave, and even now you make me proud. Go, go and discover the mysteries of Valley, the mysteries of dragons!”