The Army of Dragons

There weren’t always Dragons in the Valley. The Valley used to be a place of peace. A place of prosperity, vibrant colors, exotic creatures and above all love. The families worked together to till the land and protect that in which was given to them. It was a perfect piece of heaven. A place where compassion grew and grace was given. Divided into four kingdoms, that represented each element: water, earth, fire and air. There was one who reigned on high, over all the kingdoms, King Elyon. In the days of old, King Elyon walked amongst his people and told stories to their children as they all sat along the river bend. It was a time that Father remembered vividly, a twinkle would come into his eyes just before he would smile. Mother would sit at his side as he told us about King Elyon and the Battle of the Dragons. Sharing every detail of how he and mother had met and how they moved out of the place of chaos and darkness that the Dragons had brought to the Valley. It was a story that my brothers, sister and I could not ever hear enough. Father loved to share the many stories of King Elyon, Mother and how each of us came to be. Our favorite story, however, was the one about King Elyon and the Battle of the Dragons.

The Dragons were not mythical creatures that breathed fire and were magical, these dragons were that of a different kind. They watched from high places envious of the beauty that existed in the Valley, plotting to steal and destroy the Valley from King Elyon. Learning who brought him much joy, it was clear that Father and Mother were King Elyon’s hope for the future. He would sit with their parents and discuss the plans of their marriage as, he had plans to bring each element together, explaining how they would be best structured for bringing children into the kingdoms. Father and Mother were Water and Earth, it was Father’s stability and Mother’s fluency that King Elyon wanted to bring them together. As the water kissed the shoreline; the shoreline embraced the water. Creating the ebb and flow of what King Elyon could see when Father and Mother were together. It had been decided. As the Dragons watched the two grow up and how beautiful Mother was it was only natural that the Head of The Dragons, Samiel would come to want her for his own. The Valley was protected by beings that could fly and breathe fire from their mouths, which Samiel knew he would have to be cunning to get past them and the strange beings that rode on them. Each having wings and stood at the four corners of the Valley. Samiel would have to create a deception that would help him to enter the Valley so that he could plan his attack. The two that would help Samiel were Draven and Drogo, he could always depend on them. Their hearts were as dark and devious as his own, it was not ever about loyalty. Samiel devised the plan to kidnap the beautiful daughter of the Water Kingdom by taking the life of the son of the Earth Kingdom. This would bring King Elyon to the battle, for young Ladam brought him much joy. Although Samiel wanted Cheve for himself he knew that Draven was the best suited to get her alone, away from Ladam. Drogo was the best suited to eliminate Ladam. This plan would take time, Samiel said to his overzealous dragons. As he laughed menacingly he held his sword up, Draven and Drogo joined him.

The Valley was getting ready for the Day of Celebration, the uniting of the Four Kingdoms, when Samiel, Draven and Drogo appeared at the clearing of the Woods. The families stopped the preparation and stood astonished at what they saw, they had not ever seen other creatures like themselves. Yet standing before them, there they were. They resembled the tallness of the trees and the coarseness of the boulders of the mountains. The Protectors knew they were not to be there, so each flew off of their perch, landing in front of them creating a strong hedge of protection guarding King Elyon’s People. Their bellies became bright as they gathered the necessary element of fire; Samiel knew that they would be devoured by them if he did not speak. He dropped his sword and spoke with the most enchanting voice the people had ever heard. “I come in peace,” He said. The Protectors brought a calmness to the creatures that they rode and the Protector from the East said, “Speak of why you have come.”

Samiel stepped in front of Draven and Drogo, “We would like to meet with King Elyon, and we have traveled a far distance and have heard that he will provide us shelter and provisions for further travel.” The Protector of the East spoke, “King Elyon is preparing for the Day of Celebration he will see no one today, you may stay in the dens of the wolves, there will be no further invitation to the Valley until King Elyon sees you.” The wolves were creatures of the Earth, they guarded the edges of the woods, it was not ever understood why they had allowed Samiel, Draven and Drogo to enter the Valley. How Samiel had managed to enter undetected by the wolves. For the wolves had keen smell and vision, they could be gentle yet also ferocious when protecting King Elyon’s people. Just one of the many mysteries of the Dragons. This was the most exciting thing that had happened to the people of the Valley and young Ladam was ready for adventure. He had heard of battle in one of King Elyon’s Stories of the Great Night King who was an enemy of King Elyon’s. Little did Ladam know that he had met the Great Night King’s Son, Samiel, as the Dragons went to pick up their swords, the Protector of the West, flew in front of them without saying a word, the Dragons handed him their swords. Samiel felt a leap in his black heart as he stood so close to the being that breathed fire from his belly, his thoughts made him smile. I am going to own one of these creatures. I will bring fire beyond the mountains and destroy other kingdoms until I sit on the throne most high. Samiel had learned the secrets of his Father, he had learned the wiles of the dark. The Protector of the South called the Wolves and the people were happy to see them. They sounded like thunder as they ran through the wood, the Wolves were special to Cheve she helped raise them from puppies;as Samiel would come to learn this as King Elyon invited them into the Valley. The Protectors were not happy that they were invited into the Valley especially Mikeal, he had a distrust of Samiel. He seemed familiar to him and Mikeal’s defenses were up.