The Golden Prophesy

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. But, ever since the skies darkened to pitch black and a bright purple light was seen across the sky a generation ago, the skies have been teeming with them. From the smallest bright green lizard-like guppers that snort small sparks when tickled at the base of their tails, to the largest horndringers who can blast a furnace of flame that can melt obsidian.

I awoke with the morning chill and the wind coming off the sea to wrestle my hair. I stood, stretched my back, then splashed water on my face from the basin by the window. Outside, I could hear my mother humming a lullaby she used to sing to me when I was a child. I crossed the soft rug on my bedroom floor and made my way into the kitchen. The fires were low on the little stove, but the kettle was still being warmed so I set a cup, filled it, and started to steep my tea.

As I sat at the table, my mother bustled in through the door carrying a woven basket filled with wild onions from the back field.

“Oh! Good morning Elora! You were up so late last night I figured I would let you sleep in. I have never seen a girl read so much! Anyway, I need you to go to the market today to pick up some eggs when you get done with your tea,” she said.

I barely stifled a yawn and groaned into my cup. I really didn't want to go to the market, I might run into Eric, and I really didn't want to run into Eric. He never could get it through his thick skull that I did not, nor will I ever fancy him.

“Couldn't you have the stable boy fetch the eggs?” I asked.

“He is busy with the morning chores, plus, the old plow horse has foundered and he has to wait for the farrier, so he isn't going anywhere. Also, you still haven't gone to the seamstress for your dress for the upcoming celebration.” She replied.

Oh yes, the celebration, I mused. Every five years, a new Golden Dragon was born. And Golden Dragon's were known for carrying riders, and not just any riders. Only riders that possessed an inner strength that was needed to fight back the darkness were chosen by such noble dragons. Upon bonding with a dragon, they gained powers. And those powers were unique from one person to the next. And every five years there was a ball to celebrate that union.

This was the year that I finally became of age and was set to attend. And to find a husband. I was not very happy about it.

First off, I hated having to wear fancy dresses, and second off, I never wanted to settle down to be a housewife with kids strapped to my legs. What I want to do, is explore the world. But, being female as I am, I really don't have much say in the matter, other than picking out the fabric for my dress by myself. So, off to the market I went.

I waved to my neighbor farmer Redding as I entered the city of Wellspring, named for the many natural springs in the area. While I headed to the market, I meandered around the stalls, looking at this and that. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going when all of the sudden someone bumped right into me. Saying nothing, they staggered to the left and right, and finally managed to get past me. I did notice that they had their cowl pulled low, and seemed to be hunched over something heavy as they tried to hurry away.

Then the sound of bells pealed through the sky. A klaxon alarm was sounding! There has been a theft from the treasury! Looking left and right, I see no guards nearby, so I took off for the mysterious stranger in black. I don't know why I did so, I just had a strange feeling.

The man turned down an alley, and I turned the corner after them just in time to see him slip into a carriage house. I cautiously entered, found an old pitchfork on the wall, then armed myself. I know I am not a great fighter or anything, but the weight was good, and the points were sharp. I crept into the path between stalls.

Then I clumsily stumbled when I caught my foot on a chain on the floor. Of course, not only did I fall down, but I got so tangled up in the chain with my feet that it caused an assortment of tools near the door to come crashing down. I looked over upon hearing the noise, then looked back after hearing pounding footsteps just in time to see the dark stranger running quickly out the back. Without hunching at all.

Which only meant that whatever he had previously been carrying was left behind.

I untangled my feet and legs from the chain and stood. I brushed myself off and started towards the stall that the thief had been occupying.

In the corner, was a rather large pile of hay. And within, I could see a tiny glint of gold. I moved away the straw with the pitchfork and revealed a golden scaled egg as large as a watermelon glowing from within.

A Golden Dragon egg! No wonder the alarm went off!

I knelt down and placed my hand on the egg. A bright flash of light blinded me as the egg cracked open. I felt a strange sensation on my palm and held it in front of my face. While I saw the three pointed star burn into my hand, a small gold nose peeked out from the shell and let out a little chirp.

Bonded. This is what happens when you become bonded. I had seen the marking before. Only in the hands of bonded dragon riders.

I am bonded with a dragon!

Never before has a female ever bonded with a dragon!

As the baby dragon began to purr in pleasure, I realized that my new life of adventure, was only just beginning.