Engraved

There weren’t always dragons in the valley.

In the time of King Strow, the valley was home to an assortment of exotic flowers— their beauty known well across the kingdom.

But after the great plague and King Strow’s subsequent illness, what was once a spectacle of nature had since become a destitute quagmire. The flowers had wilted and turned to rot, soil once rich with nutrients succumbed to sand and dust.

And after King Strow’s death and thus the abandonment of his men amongst the capital gates, the valley became overridden with dragons coveting their new abode.

Now, nearly two years since Strow’s death, the city of Hegard had not yet been provided with a new king. Just as Strow had been appointed by birthright, all people came into this world with their destiny written on their back. A birthmark written in Palayon was engraved onto each baby whilst still in the womb.

It was said that the branding of the God’s had given life meaning and had provided people with existential direction since the dawn of time.

King Strow had been known as a fearless warrior. He led the people of Hegard into battle against the people of Wabet when he was just 15 years old, and again in his 40s. A long and unending war started over prophetical discrepancies, King Strow felt that the Wabetians were in defiance of the rule of the Gods. This resistance came to be known as the re-branding movement.

By Wabet’s regard, at the age of 13, all people were to be given a hearing in which to state a case to the city elders pleading to be re-branded to a different life position if they so wished to. Most hopefuls were rejected, but occasionally the elders would let one modify, giving hope to the others. An unsuccessful candidate for the re-branding plea was immediately given the job of the most recently deceased member of the city.

While Wabet was forced to stop all re-branding activities during Strow’s reign, rumors had begun to circulate about an awakening of old rituals.

Two lowly disciples of Hegard, Neol and Zeala, remained entirely neutral on their political stance, not paying any mind to talk of re-branding but never joining those who preached of the meanings of Gods at the city square. Not well known around Hegard, they thought themselves too poor to have an opinion.

Both were born of low social order, both destined for unimportant jobs; they fell in love easily and rightfully. Neol was the son of a blacksmith and a potter. Zeala was the only daughter of two bakers. Her parents met at a bread rising seminar when they were 16.

Neol and Zaela had experienced three unsuccessful births in the past two years. Law in Hegard stated that every married couple must produce a child within six years of marriage, or they will be forced to separate and re-marry another.

Zaela was now nine months pregnant and was using all appropriate birthing oil suggested by the market apothecary. In addition, each night Neol and Zaela ate fruit from a Feyeii tree. It was said that the juices from this tree could turn even barren women fertile.

When the time came for parturition, Zaela visited the village birthing chamber. Decorated wall to wall with sheepskin rugs, a fire burned fiercely in the northern corner.

As her contractions progressed, those nearby the chamber could hear Zaela's screams. When the midwife stated that Zaela's aura indicated a long and painful labour ahead, Neol set out to retrieve nourishment. Returning thereafter with a bucket of water, a loaf of bread, and a vine of grapes for his wife, she ate ravenously before losing consciousness.

Zaela awoke hours later. Her eyes strained to open as she heard whispers from nearby. She was rightfully confused to see a huddle of village elders speaking heatedly with Neol. It was then that he realized his wife was awake.

“What has happened?” Zaela asked Neol in a slow, hushed voice. Neol had tears in his eyes as he patted his wife gently on the hand.

He walked over to the group of elders, gently breaking through their huddle. He reached into the wooden crib and lifted a healthy baby girl into the air.

As he walked towards Zaela, he shifted the baby around gently, revealing a scar-like stain on her back that read the word—

Queen.