Dragon Valley

Prologue:

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Once, this place used to be paradise with perfect weather all year round. Children could run outside and play for hours without the fear of being snatched up by flying beasts. We didn’t have to live in fear of our crops being burned to ash or our livestock being devoured. We didn’t have to worry about going hungry because the land provided for us. The once beautiful valley was lush and vibrant with rich farming soil. But an evil sorceress named Deianeira claimed the mountains overlooking the valley as her home. She demanded tribute like a queen on her throne. She wanted more than we could give. And what we offered her was never enough. So, we were punished for not appeasing the sorceress. At first, she used magic to eclipse the sun, so our crops could not grow.

When we could not give tribute the second time, she cursed the skies to rain day and night for seven dreadful days and seven awful nights. Our cottages flooded along with the valley. Many villagers became sick from working in the rain and came home to lay in wet beds. But knowing the punishment would be great. They still worked the fields the best they could. But it wasn’t enough. And again, our crops could not grow from all the rain. When the rain finally stopped and the sun returned. The villagers gathered in the hall to conspire against the enchantress.

A small group of brave men decided to climb the mountain and confront the evil enchantress despite the protests of the other villagers. Everyone in the valley knew that Deianeria’s subsequent punishment would be worse than the last. But They were hungry and tired. Letting their rumbling stomachs lead their actions. It was false bravado over drinks at the pub or their pride that convinced them to rally together and climb up the mountain. Each man thought they could save the valley from the evil witch.

Leading the charge was Isabeau’s betroth Malakai. They grew up together, climbing the same mountains; the men were about to climb together now. He had always been sure-footed and brave. So, she wasn’t afraid of him falling. She was scared of him reaching the top. Coming face to face with the sorceress that has tormented the valley for months. But even worse, she was terrified of what punishment she would enact next. Both on the man she loves and the valley.

Before he ascended the mountain, Isabeau clutched onto him desperately. Not wanting to let him go. Begging him to stay with her. And although her words felt empty even as she spoke, she told him that everything would be all right in the end. But how could she convince him if she couldn’t even convince herself? With a feather-light touch, Malakai pressed his large, calloused hand gently against her cheek as if she were the most precious thing in his life.

“I will return to you.” Malakai proclaimed. “And when I do, nothing will ever keep us apart again.” not caring about propriety, Malakai kissed Isabeau fiercely. Not knowing if it would be their last. Then turned to the mountain without another word and began to climb. She gingerly touched her swollen lips as tears started to fall. And she watched the man she loved disappear up the mountain.

With Malakai’s guidance, all six men made it safely up the mountain and to the threshold of Deianeria’s lair. The cave was lit with wall sconces, and Deianeria was nowhere in sight. So, the men cautiously entered, weapons in hand. They went deeper and deeper into the cavern until they found her fast asleep. Malakai stood at the side of the canopy bed. Sword overhead, ready to thrust the blade through the witch’s heart. When one of the men accidentally knocked over a vase. Falling to the floor with a loud…CRASH! The witch’s eyes open and Malakai thrusts his blade down. Before he can piece her heart, the sorceress sends all of the men flying back with the force of her magic. The sorceress was furious with the villagers that intruded upon her lair. They dared to attack her while she slept like cowards! As punishment, the sorceress called upon her magic and conjured six gigantic dragons, who burned the valley. And the villagers that threatened Deianeira never made it back down the mountain.

Many people lost loved ones that night. Both in the fire that consumed the valley and the men that never returned home. Isabeau lost two people that night. The brave man she loved with all her heart and Her kind, nurturing mother.

When the dragon descends into the valley, it makes a horrible roaring sound that echoes off the surrounding mountains. Isabeau’s mother was outside in the fields gathering the little food that would grow when the dragons attacked. Isabeau saw the beast approaching from above and screamed to her mother to run! Her mother looked up to the sky and turned to run. Fear etched across her lovely face. Isabeau started to run to her, but she was stopped by solid arms wrapped around her waist.

Grabbing her and carrying her off to a nearby cave to hide. Isabeau bucked and screamed, pounding on the man’s back as she watched her mother burn alive. Her mother’s screams and the screams of other villages haunt the valley.

Isabeau watched as her mother’s skin blistered and burned in the dragon’s fire. There was nothing more than a steaming chard corpse and scorched, blackened ground left where her mother once stood. In a place that once brought Isabeau great joy to pick vegetables in the garden with her mother. The fond memories of Isabeau chasing her mother around the vegetation with hands full of worms as they laugh and screech. Were forever replaced with the image of her mother’s now chard remains. And soon, she will be put to rest deep underground, only to be devoured by the same worms she chased her mother with as a girl.