Dragon Sight

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Thousands of years ago, the Valley was a dead zone, a waste land in the middle of the harshest mountain range known simply as Death Mountains. No life could be found there, nothing from a single blade of grass to the smallest insect buried underground. The inhabitants of Erathia whispered tales of curses and hauntings as the reason for the dark black mountains that killed all who explored its deadly reach. Until one night, a great light fell from the sky. It lite up the land as if it was day, and those closest describe a great shock that fell villages too close and a deafening crash originating deep within the mountains.

The next morning, the once black mountains were a vibrant green, full of lush plants no one recognized or could name. However, that wasn’t the only change. Magic, long believed to be nothing but myth, exploded throughout the Erathians. People suddenly had the ability to control the elements, bend light to their will, and perform impossible feats. And yet, people still avoided Death Mountains as giant beings could be seen flying above or perched on jagged snowy peaks. Finally, one brave adventurer by the name of Aventi Deluch, who had awakened a small gift of flame, ventured into the mountains. For many months he was believed to have perished, eaten by the great beasts who had, thankfully, stayed within the mountains. Many worried about the day they would venture beyond the mountain range and forests that had grown abnormally fast around them. But then one day Aventi returned, descending from the sky on a ball of blue flames, shining bright in the sky.

Aventi became the first person to return from Death Mountains alive, and he brought tales of giant intelligent beasts, who called themselves Dragons. With the knowledge and wisdom gained from his stay with the dragons, he built a kingdom on the foothills of the mountains and named it Deltaria, after the queen of the dragons. Ever since, the Deluch bloodline has ruled in peace and harmony over...

“Bullshit!” Lani exclaimed, slamming the book closed as she ran a hand through her short purple hair, the pink tips shimmering in the dim light. “How the hell is conquering the surround kingdoms with war fucking peace?” Aventi had used his powers, and knowledge from the dragons, to fell the three kingdoms surrounding the mountains one by one, bringing them all under his rule. It had been a long and bloody process, killing thousands before it had finally ended. The three kingdoms were rebuilt in Aventi’s vision, and the dragons became godlike beings. Aventi blocked off the safe passages to everyone except the direct Deluch line.

Standing up, Lani dismissed her sound barrier as she returned the book to its place, the dark library eerily silent. She carefully crept through the aisles, silver eyes glowing faintly. She wasn’t supposed to be there, and not just because it was the middle of the night. As a mercenary and commoner, even one with her magical level, she was looked down upon by the nobles. They had laughed at her face when she tried to obtain a card, the person at the desk sneering that there was no way a woman, much less a ‘low born one’, would be able to read at a high enough level for a card. Lani hadn’t taken that very well, and made sure that when she broke in she messed up the guys room a little. A nice glittery, girly present for the stupid misogynists.

Lani didn’t relax until she was two streets away, staying in the shadows as much as possible. She passed cleaners looking for the smallest of blemishes on the immaculate roads and guards that sneered as she walked by. In pants, boots, and a sword on her his she was hardly lady like enough to live in the district. Not that any lady would be caught dead outside at this time of night alone. Keeping her head high, Lani smirked back at them, adding a sway to her stride. Better the guards think she had been hired entertainment than sneaking around places she shouldn’t. when she reached Teresina Tavern where she was staying, she sighed quietly in relief. The morning light was just starting to peak out, washing the Dragon Mountains in the distance in darkness.

Going through the back door, Lani smiled when she heard Madame Teresina, or Mama T as she insisted everyone call her, humming in the kitchen and getting ready for breakfast. She quietly walked over to a plump middle-aged woman standing behind the stove, her red hair matching the fire I her hands. Mama T had the ability to control temperature, in this case fire and ice which she used in her cooking, making her tavern a favorite stopping place for everyone. They even had a few nobles who pretended to be merchants so as not to stain their public image. Mama T perked up before glancing behind her, a smile making her green eyes sparkle when Lani bent down and kissed her cheek.

“Morning, Mama,” she said as she grabbed some potatoes to start chopping. She’d known Mama T since she was 13 and alone, struggling against the harsh world. She considered her another mother to her at this point, and would often drop the T when it was just the two of them.

“What are you doing up so early, Lani dear?” her smile softening with fondness. She and her husband had never been blessed with a child of their own, no matter how much they wanted one. So when Lani showed up at their doorstep, dripping wet from the rain and covered with mud asking for a room in place of work, they had practically adopted her. Her husband, Kavien, had been an expert hunter and adventurer, often bringing in the meat they used for the tavern. He had taken her under his wing and taught her everything he knew about hunting, tracking, and how to not die when alone in the woods. He was mostly retired at this point, only going out occasionally to hunt when Lani was away on missions for the Mercenary Guild.

“Just out for a morning stroll when I couldn’t fall back asleep,” she replied as she quickly finished the potatoes and turned to the fluff cakes. She wasn’t about to tell Mama T the real reason and chance getting her in trouble, and she was sure Mama T knew she was lying, but didn’t pry. It kept her from worrying to much, though she always worried about her. they finished breakfast prep in companionable silence until Kavien joined them, cutting up the various meats after giving them both a kiss on the cheek. When they started hearing the other guests start making their way down into the main dining room, Mama T handed Lani a full plate.

“Shoo, dear. Go eat some food, I’ll bring you another plate in a bit,” she winked and laughed as Lani pouted, but didn’t protest. The more magic a mage had and used, the more energy they burned through and had to replenish. Lani burned a lot of energy just containing her temperamental magic, and was well known for her appetite. She greeted many of the regulars and her fellow mercenaries as she headed to her usual table, easily spotting the new patrons by how they looked at her. she was 5’10” with a willowy dancer's body that made her look deceptively weak. She played it up by wearing a pink shirt with long billowing sleeves that conveniently hid her throwing knives, sleeve arrows, wrist blade, and wand. She also carried two knives in her boots, and duel blades on her back to go with the sword on her hip. All that was missing was the bow in her room, which she had left to be less conspicuous. She was one of the most heavily armored women in the whole kingdom, and most didn’t even have a clue. Once seated in her customary corner seat, back against the wall and view of the whole tavern, she happily started digging into her meal, ignoring the stares from one of the new guests.

Lani was starting to wonder if she would have to teach the newbie some manners when a tall and bulky man slide in the seat across from her. His dark armor was well worn but clean, a giant sword that usually rested across his back was leaned against the table, dark green hair not doing anything to hide the nasty scar stretched down his face, starting at his forehead and ending at his chin, just barely missing his gold eyes and dragging the corner of his mouth down in a permanent semi scowl. He was easily 6’6”, and had enough muscles that it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he could lift the tavern right off the ground. He kept his eyes narrowed on her as she finished eating, not bothering to break the silence until she sighed in content, pushing the empty plate back.

“Darren! Good morning,” she greeted happily. They stares had vanished soon after he sat down which always brightened her day. Darren was one of her oldest friends, and a convenient creep deterrent. He was the gentle giant type once you got to know him, and she could always count on him having her back.

“Read anything interesting, lately?” he asked mildly, crossing his arms making his muscles bulge. Lani saw one of the few other female mercenaries watching in appreciation. Female mercenaries appreciated strength, as they were usually stronger than the average man and wanted someone who could keep up with them. Darren fit the image and was constantly flirted with, though he didn’t notice to Lani’s amusement. The fact that his preference was more towards the cute little male archer beside the appreciative woman only made her more amused.

“Sadly no, just more of the same stories,” Lani sighed. Darren was the only person who knew she was looking for more information on dragons, though even he didn’t know why. It was too dangerous to share and she wouldn’t risk one of her only real friends. Maybe after everything was over, she’d tell him everything. Assuming the world survived what was to come.

Feeling a nudge against her foot, she blinked her eyes and saw Darren discreetly glancing around. Thankfully, no one was paying attention to them. She winced. “My eyes glowed, didn’t they?” she asked quietly, and he nodded. Glowing eyes meant only one thing: prophetic powers. Usually, individuals with this skill surrounded themselves with people to tell what they see to any who asked, and it brought constant attention. The type of attention that Lani avoided at all costs. Darren and Mama T were the only ones who knew, and thankfully her silver eyes hid it well when she couldn’t control it. The last thing she wanted was to be dragged before the populace and asked to tell the world what she saw.

Seeing mama T heading towards her table with two plates, Lani forced herself to relax. There was no reason to alarm her, so Lani greeted her with a smile like usual.

“I figured Darren would have found his way here by now, so I brought his plate as well,” Mama T said cheerfully when she arrived.

“Thanks, Mama T,” they said simultaneously, causing her to laugh.

“Any plans for the day?” she asked them. Lani shrugged.

“Not really, just wander to the Guild, see if they have anything interesting or local. Need some help with something?”

“Oh, Kavien was planning on doing some hunting later, and was wondering if you wanted to tag along.” Lani would bet every coin she had that he hadn’t actually said that. Kavien was a man of few words, and to stubborn to ask for help. It was more likely that Mama T had seen him glance towards the tavern door and decided Lani should join him.

“I’d love to go with him. You know how I love a good conversation,” she said easily, winking as Mama T laughed.

“I’ll let him know. You two enjoy your morning, now,” she said as she patted them each on the cheek before walking away, stopping here and there to greet and chat with the regulars. They ate the rest of their breakfast in silence, and once the plates were cleared Darren jerked his head towards the stairs, wanting to finish their conversation in privacy. As they were leaving, Lani felt the gaze of the female mercenary, and caught her jealous eyes. She shook her head, glancing pointedly at the archer beside her, then to Darren’s back before looking back, wiggling her eyebrows. The look of jealousy turned to dismay, apparently receiving the message as she looked away. Smothering a snort, she followed Darren to her room where she promptly locked the door, activating the privacy barrier. They could have a death match in her room and no one would hear a peep.

“So what next?” Darren asked as he sat in one of her chairs. She had made this room truly hers over the 11 years she’d stayed in it. There was a seating area, a little reading nook in the corner with the few books she could get her hands on and various nick knacks she’d collected over the years. She flopped back on her bed, looking up at the starry sky. She had spelled the ceiling a few years ago so it felt like she was sleeping outside. It gave her a sense of freedom that wilted when she spent too long indoors.

“Honestly, there’s only one other place I’ve heard of that might have the information I need, other than Dragon Valley itself. However, it’s just as dangerous.”

Darren snorted. “Nowhere is as dangerous as the only way to get to dragon mountain if you’re not a Deluch. What could possibly be as dangerous as Suicide Path?” the Deluch family had put up magical barriers around most of the Dragon Mountain range. However, they had left he dangerous parts alone, as the creatures and terrain were barrier enough. People who ventured too deep into those areas never returned, and some of the crazier heretics believed that if they died in the land connected to Dragon Mountains, they would be reborn with greater magic having been blessed by the dragons after offering their mortal bodies or some other crazy shit. Lani hesitated before taking a deep breath.

“Duke Malanin has a secret room in his private library that one of his maids saw him taking books that had dragons on the cover of into,” she rushed through quickly, wincing in the dead silence that followed.

The current duke was only a few years older than Lani, however his father had been notoriously cruel and blood thirsty. No one wanted to work in the estate for fear that they’d never come back alive or in one piece. Rumor has it that he had even helped the current king ascend to the throne by killing off all his siblings and making it look like it was an accident. Then the king he had believed to be his puppet turned on him and executed him for treason. However, he hadn’t taken the title away from the Melanin family, so the Dukedom had passed to his son, Cadren, who was barely 17 at the time. They say he’s as cruel as his father, but only to those that cross him. Like breaking into his estate and finding out his secrets hidden in a library he doesn’t let anyone enter. Darren took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. It didn’t work.

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND????? I understand that this information is important to you, but this is beyond just dying! If you’re caught, it won’t be a quick death, he will torture you first! You know the kind of shit that goes down in that place!” he angrily stood up to paced back and forth. Darren had a good reason to be upset, his cousin was one of the servants who didn’t return alive. Or in once piece. Lani sat quietly on her bed, letting Darren yell himself hoarse, all different version of the same thing. You’re crazy, you’ll die a slow torturous death, is it so important, etc.

“Yes,” she said quietly once he’d ran out of steam, “it is that important.” They stared at each other in silence for several minutes, but Lani refused to break. Darren sighed, sitting down heavily beside her, staring at the floor.

“I wish you would tell me just what you’re looking for, and why it’s so important,” he whispered. He knew better than to ask. He had pushed once, and Lani had closed up and started pushing him away until he promised not to pry anymore. She’d rather them not be friends any more than to see him dead for knowing things he shouldn’t.

“Gods, I don’t want you anywhere near him. Fuck, it scares me just thinking that he has a better claim to the throne then the king does, and that’s less likely to happen then you running into him on the street!” he fell backwards on her bed, hiding his face behind his hands. The current king, Terren Deluch, had an iron hold on the nobility and therefore was secure on the throne, but everyone whispered the rumors of him not having a single drop of royal blood in his veins. His mother had been one of the concubines of the previous king, but had been a commoner and often asked to ‘entertain’ special guests. He didn’t look anything like the previous king or any of his siblings. The Deluch bloodline was well known for producing geniuses in the magical fields, all with vast power, but Terren’s was extremely weak, even less than the average mercenary mage who only had enough for basic spells. Most of the citizens believed he wasn’t of royal blood and Caden Melanin, who’s great-great-grandmother was of royal blood, had a better claim to the throne since all of Terren’s siblings were dead. Anyone foolish enough to protest out loud, though, soon found themselves beheaded for treason, so the people kept quiet.

“But you’ll still help me figure it out?” Lani asked softly, not quite teasingly, as she was too tense. She wasn’t worried about Darren turning around and reporting her, but his disapproval would be hard to live with.

“Damn it, Lani, you know I will,” he said frustratedly. “I can’t let my little sister in all but blood fumble her way through this alone.” Alani’s eye’s watered at that, before throwing her arms around him. She had thought of Darren as an older brother for years, so to hear him call her his sister meant a lot to her. they hugged for a while before Lani pulled back.

“So, how do we break into the most protected estate in the kingdom to steal national secrets?”