Scales of Balance

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. It's said that in the time of our ancestors, dragons couldn't be found in Senke, they were creatures of the heavens that watched over the people of the world. Perhaps they were a final wish of a sorcerer on his deathbed, or perhaps a gift from those in the beyond.

At first they were seen as protectors, guardians of the balance in the valley. They helped prevent rockslides and floods. Taught us how to build our settlements, and protecting them against the beasts of the wild, but we soon grew greedy, taking from the nature around us, without giving anything in return. The cold gold eyes of our protectors turned to us. For they were the guardians of balance, not the guardians of man. They burned down houses and villages, tearing down the dams that had been formed. The men of the valley fought back, for what were dragons if not beasts to them. The dragon's breath burned hotter, hunting down those who broke the balance until everything in the valley had gotten caught in the crossfire. But then rumours grew of a young woman, willful and strong, kindhearted and brave.

It’s said she stood up to the strongest of the dragons, calling for peace in place of bloodshed. The Eldest of the Dragons, Dravost, stood firm. He had seen the damage that humans had wrought on the valley, the bloodshed they had caused against their own people as well as the dragons. Why should he listen to the words of a child? He rose up to strike her down, smoke billowing out of his nose. He opened his mouth, intent on burning her where she stood. Fire poured from his mouth draping her in a dress of flame.

Seconds passed, then minutes and finally hours. When Dravost was certain that he’d turned this interloper into nothing but a pile of ash he came to a stop. What he saw surprised him, not only was the young woman alive and well, but there was a young drake curled around her.

“I am the Enyo of the people of Senke. We ask you for peace. Have you not burned our homes, killed our cattle, slaughtered our people for long enough? How long must we suffer to undo the mistakes and wrongdoing of the past?” Her voice echoed in the wind, carrying her meaning up to Dravost.

“You have only words to convince me. We will end our onslaught when I see fit. You and your people have not earned reprieve.” Dravost glared down at her, as if his eyes alone could kill.

“I have more than words. I have made allies in both your people and mine. Have you gone blind?” The drake curled around her stood to his full height, heads taller than her. Others stepped forward out of the haze behind her. Drakes and dragons, beasts of nature and even people from the villages. “I ask again for peace. You are the guardians of balance, not the avengers of the valley. Please.”

Dravost stood there aghast, had he been so wrapped up with the past he had failed to see the present? He grumbled and muttered to himself before sighing, “Your people have much to fix, however it would seem as though perhaps the rest of the job may be done by you. If your people will swear to cease their greed, and to cease their attacks, we will do the same.”

The Enyo nodded her head in agreement and the arrangement was struck. No more would the dragons attack ruthlessly against men, so long as they fixed the balance they had broken so carelessly.

“So it’s been for hundreds of years, though the dragons have long since vanished from our valley, we still keep our end of the bargain.”

“So the dragons are our protectors?” A small voice from the back of the group of children piped up. “How can they be our protectors if they’re gone?”

“Well the valley doesn’t need protectors right now. Balance is still in hand so they aren’t needed.” The storyteller replied, brushing her hair away from her face. It was a surprisingly warm day for the middle of fall, and she was cursing herself for not having put her hair up before leaving that morning.

“Will the dragons ever return?” An older child asked, wide eyes staring up at her.

“Perhaps, but it may not happen in our lifetime, they have been gone for hundreds of years.” It had to be her luck that she’d be in charge of watching the littles. Preparations for the last Harvest Festival were on the way and children had a tendency for getting underfoot. At least they’d enjoyed the story well enough. It had been one told to her by her own grandmother, and she’d told it to her younger siblings from time to time. Though this time, it had felt as if she had awoken from a deep sleep after telling it.

“Where did the dragons go?” That question came from Keiran, her younger brother. He’d asked that question every time she told him this story. And every time she gave the same excuse.

“Well no one really knows, one day they were here and the next they weren’t.” It was true, no one did know where the dragons had gone. They’d simply vanished.

“But Novus!” Keiran whined, throwing themselves in the dirt. “That’s what you always say.”

“Because it’s the truth. No one knows where the dragons went, why they left or if they’ll ever return. Not everything has a reason, Keiran.” Not that he would listen to her though. She swore her brother was an imp in disguise, he even looked like one sometimes.

Gasps and shouts caused her to turn around and watch as a scout came flying in through the gates. “D-Dragons! We’ve spotted dragons by the southern watchtower!” It spoke to his exhaustion that after he’d finished shouting, he simply dropped, as if he’d turned to stone.

Chaos exploded as everyone started moving, people in panic rushing around, healers being called and guards swarming the area.

“What is the meaning of this? I understand the Festival is only a few days away but we needn’t panic.” The Captain of the Riders briskly walked into the square, everyone falling silent as he approached.

“It’s Ferrin, Ser. He arrived mere moments ago, said there’d been dragon sighted near the southern watchtower.” Novus spoke up, the children huddled around her.

“Dragons? Those are stories, myths and legends nothing more.” The Captain turned to look at her shaking his head. “Perhaps too much to drink on the way back into the city?” A healer crouched by Ferrin shook his head.

“His breath doesn’t smell, aside from that he appears to be coming too.” Ferrins groan emphasized the healers statement, helping the scout up slowly.

“Ferrin, what’s this about dragons at the southern watchtower?” Ferrin rolled his shoulder stiffly, nodding to the healer before addressing him.

“Captain Eindur, Ser, there were dragons flying around the southern watchtower. I was told by the watchtower commander to run back and report it.” Ferrin sounded far more composed in front of the Captain than he had running into the city.

Eindur stared stiffly at the scout unblinking as he questioned him. “Are you certain it was a dragon? Perhaps it was a large eagle or something?” It had happened before, the poor scout that time had ended up researching all the various birds in the valley. It had also been the gossip for months on end.

“Honestly Ser, I wish it had been. But it was breathing fire!” Gasps of concern came up from all around the gathered citizens. No birds breathed fire, that much they were certain of. Novus bit her lip uncertainly, dragons weren’t real. They couldn’t be right?

“Fire?” At the scouts nod Eindur sighed. “Perhaps a fire show? At any rate, this does require additional investigation. Morvin, Aven, Tori; we’ll head for the southern watchtower in one hour.” The three guards lifted their hands over their chests in a salute and headed off to fetch their mounts. “Everyone, this matter will be dealt with in a timely manner. Please continue with your day.”

At this, those that were still standing around headed off in the directions they had come from or had been heading to. The children heading off to their various houses chattering with one another.

“Must you go? The Festival is two days away, you said you’d be there this time.” Novus spoke up in a soft voice as she approached Eindur, Keiran at her heels.

“I’m sorry, {endearing nickname} truly, however we both know that whatever this is must be investigated.” Eindur turned to his children, wiping away a soft tear from Novus’ face. “Do not fear for me, I will return shortly. It is a three day ride there, and a three day ride back. So keep watch for me at the dawn of the eighth day.”

“What about Mama? Or Celia? Neither will be able to watch you leave. Will you come back to the house to say goodbye?” Novus watched as her father sighed, ruffling Keirans hair softly.

“I must prepare Bannur, will you tell them what I have told you?” Keiran nodded quickly, ignoring the pained look in his elder sister's eyes.

“If we must, Papa.” Novus replied a sinking feeling flooding her nerves.

“Now then, I really must head out. I love you both, I will return loves.” Eindur stepped back, rolling his shoulders as he watched Morvin arrive early, his own mount in tow.

“Be safe.” She whispered to the wind, watching as her father headed off for the stables and her brother ran ahead to home. She couldn’t shake the feeling in her chest, combined with the feeling from telling her story she just knew something bad would come of this. But it was already playing out in front of her, there was nothing more she could do then play her part.