The Embers

The Embers

A Sudden Request

There weren’t always dragons in the valley, the people of Tharakzim claim, but I know the truth of the world they so crudely claim is theirs. Dragons have always been in this valley and will always be here. Only depending on the rules of this kingdom or changes of power will they show themselves, or at least that’s what I’m told by Lucien. He’s a dragonkin who has lived longer than most here in Tharakzim. It’s always interesting to talk with him because he’ll tell the most outrageous stories of the ancient wyrms that ruled the skies or of older cities that resided in the valley. My parents think he has just lost his mind at his age, but I believe him. It’s hard to believe that dragons only came to our valley recently since we’re taught about the size of the valley, and Tharakzim is built at the base of the tallest mountain Karahm.

“Dieno, will you open the door, please? It’s your parents.” Thera said, walking past my room as the sound of knocking increased.

“Oh, sorry, I got too focused on some work,” I said. As I stood up, my left leg crumpled under the weight of my body after some time of not moving. “Crap, my leg fell asleep.” It took a few strides to get it feeling back to normal. Once out of my room, I turned left and went down the stairs to get to the front door of the small hovel in which Thera and I lived. Thera was carrying the hand-woven basket I had made her last year, which was full of our clothes, out to the back to let them dry, and as she looked back at me, she gave a curt smile and winked. Making me feel as though she was saying good luck in a way my parents wouldn’t be able to hear through the door. The knocking had started being more forceful and was starting to rattle the door against the house’s frame. My parents normally knock a little bit but then just sit and wait for me to get there to open it for them and say something like it’s good to see you, but that wasn’t happening right now. Curious, I tried to sneak a peek at who was behind the door through the small window in the kitchen just beside the entryway.

When I looked, I saw two creatures standing behind Lucien as he seemed to panic against my front door. My stealth was overestimated by myself, and I had locked eyes with one of the two behind Lucien. They stared back and said something I couldn’t make out, but it was a very guttural sound. When Lucien heard that, he stopped at the door and finally spoke, “Dieno, we’re in trouble and need help. I know that most don’t believe me and think me old and senile, but you do. Please let me and these two in and listen to what I will say?” he was staring right into the window at me. It felt like his auburn eyes were piercing into my very soul. Leaping up from my crouched position at the window, I raced to the door and cracked it open.

“What’s the password for safe entry?” I said.

“The blind oft’ refuse the truth,” Lucien responded softly. I pulled the door open the rest of the way and motioned the group to enter.

“So, what has caused this impromptu visit, Lucien?” I said.

“Do you remember my story about the dragons? These are two of the oldest wyrms in the valley, and they need your help.” Lucien said and pointed to the pair that came in with him.