Dragons of Paranon

There weren’t always dragons in the valley; and THIS dragon now stood directly in the path of a weak boy and an innocent girl. The bravest and loudest of the boys had been right to fetch the warriors in time. Why, with decisions like this, he’d make a fine warrior himself one day…!

Treyos and Sorra could only watch as torches approached from across the Valley of Paranon. The torches could only be an omen of one thing and the angry shouts and whispered suspicions seemed slightly unnecessary. As for the very presence of a haughty Corr leading the adult warriors for the moment in his smug arrogance, that sight didn't really surprise Treyos anymore either. Imp saw the approaching strangers as well and gave a monstrous huff as his newly established adult form began to rise on his hind haunches.

"No, Imp." Treyos amended, struggling to maintain a delicate and peaceful tone. "Sorra and I will be alright; we all will be. Sorra..."

"...I'll tend to him as best as I can." she interjected as Imp at least laid his head back down in the dirt where Sorra could delicately place a hand on the creature's head.

The warriors and assorted villagers stopped at the sight of the large dragon and two small, defenseless preteens.

"There's the beast, Angard, father; as I have told you!" Corr crowed, crossing his arms before his chest expectantly.

"You have done well this day, son." Bartilus, the lead spearsman and Corr's doting father, declared.

"Yes; you will make a fine warrior yet!" Angard, mightiest of the warriors and the mob's current leader, declared.

"Fine warrior; for turning his tail when he saw the infant form of the dragon and leaving us here to go stir up unneeded public outcry!" Sorra scoffed under her breath.

Treyos silently agreed with his friend and privately loved the person she was all over again. Meanwhile, Angard advanced with his sword drawn. His middle child, Clive, carried a steel pincher and oldest, Varduke, carried a pair of mid-swords, smaller than his father's but he had two nonetheless. Treyos could sense trouble and the tiny ten year old raised a stick sword once more.

"My boy, you are still unharmed?" Angard asked.

"You can see for yourself that that is true, father." Treyos insisted. "Sorra and I are..."

"...Sorra!" Kendar, her own father, an archer, suddenly interjected. "Step away from that monster!"

"Father, you can see for yourself the distance that I have placed between myself and Corr." Sorra retorted.

Meanwhile, Clive only saw his little brother carrying a stick "sword" and chortled.

"Would you slay a dragon with a stick?" he retorted.

"Yes; and you are facing the wrong way!" Varduke added, moving his iron swords against one another with sparks and a grinding of steel.

"No." Treyos insisted, securing his footing. "I am standing my ground against the correct threat."

The older boys cackled at one another once more and Angard stepped forward.

"My son, what bewitchery do you speak?" he demanded. "One side, children; to safety!"

Imp nudged Treyos from behind.

"Brave." he seemed to grunt in a full grown voice.

Treyos glanced back helplessly at his displaced dragon friend.

"Yes." he answered, dejectedly. "My father can be very brave. It made him a warrior and a strong leader."

"Treyos!" Angard bellowed, clinging to his sword.

"Treyos," Sorra added, touching him on a shoulder, "there is only one way to avoid this misunderstanding from going further than it has."

Treyos knew that Sorra was right and she had already gone back to her father. He could only step away himself to leave his father's blade facing the gentle giant dragon.

"Hold." a new voice suddenly erupted from the back of the line of warriors and peasant villagers.

All heads turned and an armor-plated female approached with a sword and shield. She was back by two other women; one held a mace, the other, a throwing spear.

"Women of warfare in our midst!" Angard bellowed. "You have kept us from slaying this dragon beast; you must be witches from Tri-Peak!"

"Merely women whom have trained just as your men have and deserve a chance to protect this same valley for everyone!" the leading woman insisted. "I am called Lia; my sisters, Val and Jemma. Just as you have accused us of witchcraft for telling you not to kill the dragon, it was your youngest who first insisted on no bloodshed."

Angard took in Lia's words thoughtfully.

"My son is a mere wisp of a boy." he spat haughtily.

"I see a young man who stands in the face of barbaric weapons as a boy cowers behind the arms and armor of others." Lia persisted, indicating Corr. "No matter; that is not our argument here. This dragon, were it a wild beast, would have killed the youths by now; perhaps even before you could arrive. We know not why he is in the valley where he does not belong but he does not appear to be our enemy."

"What are you speaking?" Angard demanded.

"My proposal is thus;" Lia concluded, "we train this dragon as a defender and a mighty mount; not slay him as a creature. Val; Jemma!"

Instantly, a whip and a chain were wrapped around Imp. Treyos merely stood by and watched tearfully. Imp had avoided a needless tragic death; but in exchange for what kind of life...?

=========================

Arteman still sensed the dragon's heart and mind; he had merely lost his hold over them. The baby dragon's innocence had betrayed its magically grown frame. He turned to Sagia.

"...Well?" she demanded.

It was useless for Arteman to lie.

"We have lost a displaced, mighty dragon beast to an innocent heart and the friendship of youth." he confessed; then, as his eyes lit up again and a devilish grin found his face, "...We have found the dragon mother who would avenge her offspring from the cruelty of man; and we already know where to send her. You needn't even say the word, empress; it is already done..."