The Last Dragon Rider

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. They used to weave through the sky like needles, and reside only on the highest peaks. As if being amongst mammals at the height of the reptilian era was an affront to their very existent. Monarchs ruling over lowly warm-blooded servants. The lower elevations were our prison. The only place we could manage to survive hidden from their watchful gaze. Quieting our footsteps as we’d scurry through dust clouds or hot nights avoiding the deadly strike of our inaccessible rulers. I can still remember taking every storm as an opportunity, scaling rain slick trees by desperately digging my nails into wet bark, and coming home with cuts and callouses only obtained by reaching the highest branches. Hair plastered to my head with sweat; particles once floating in the air clinging to every inch of exposed skin and coating my airway as we hunted smaller animals on a sweltering evening. The whole sky obscured, covering all the air you could see in an opaque gold fog. It’s weight pressing on your lungs until they burn, filling your nose until rock is all you can smell and taste.

I remember when it all changed. When the heat crept up the mountainside like a sunrise. When dragons needed caves and watering holes to stay cool, and we were force to cohabitate. When griffons and giant eagles took to the sky while wraiths and shadows invaded forests. A new world order was established. I had never understood what it felt like to live until that time. Dragons taught humans what it about life beyond survival, and in exchange humans taught dragons companionship. We taught them what it meant to rely on and trust one another. Together we were unstoppable. I remember Regina’s deep blue scales turning any sky to night in a flash; golden eyes shining like stars. Magnificent with a strength that could rip open the earth itself. I grip my necklace tightly, holding the last of her that I carry with me. We aren’t in the reptilian era anymore. Mammals rule our planet now, after the impact.

It feels like yesterday: the screaming, the heat. I’ll never forget the sight of rocks falling from the sky. I only hope my grandchildren will never have to witness the same. I remember I was already older by then, past my prime. Regina should’ve saved herself, fled and dove into the longest cavern, swam to the center of the deepest ocean, or flew up highest mountain. But she didn’t, none of them did. All of the dragons on earth left us in what felt like a single instant.

“So, you’re saying it was some kind of magic? As if a spell was cast over the whole world?” The young fighter interrupts my story. Look of awe splashed across his face, though he’s had that same look since I was first introduced as having lived before dragons walked among us. Before we farmed and settled. Before we were able to explore. The young mage sitting next to him scowls while elbowing him in the chest, which he rubs good naturedly “What? We were all thinking it!”

“We most certainly were not!” Their third companion, a young aristocrat states, offended at the insinuation. I chuckle

“No, we don’t know what caused the space rock to fall from the sky, but it didn’t seem to be magical.”

“We thank you for your time, ma’am. It’s exceedingly rare to hear full first-hand accounts of the time when dragons openly walked the earth.” The mage, Elle, I think her name was smiles. “Could you tell us how it ended?” I nod, my mind rewinding 40 years in an instant.

“When I ran out of our shelter, I was only exposed for about a minute, there was nowhere to take cover. The space rocks would send trees flying by the dozen across the landscape. Within seconds Regina landed in front of me, leaping forward to create a shell around me and all those close by. I can still feel the thick tears sliding down my dirt covered cheeks; burning as if too close to a fire. Sobbing, begging her to run. The shell was larger than any structure I had been in, I couldn’t find her face or eyes across the dark surface. I yelled into that void, pleaded on my knees even as other humans screamed at me to stop, that I would only kill us. Finally, a deafening boom shook my entire being, and I learned later, changed the face of the earth forever. When the vibrations stopped, day broke with no sunrise. She fell, leaving only a clear blue sky. At first everything seemed unchanged. I could hear tentative sounds of animals creeping from their hideaways, but as my eyes adjusted, the devastation was incomprehensible. Life as a whole had survived, but the valley, a place once so full, had become a graveyard. Dragons littered the ground. Humans found their companions. We grieved.” I reflexively stroke the scale hanging from my neck, taking a necessary breath. “Eventually we laid them to rest there and never returned.”

“So, there may be more scales there? More energy?” The young princeling asks.

“I know not whether the answers you seek will be in the valley, nor do I know if dragons are the answer.”

“Brandon! Have some compassion. You’re basically asking her if we can dig up her best friend.” The warrior seethes through clenched teeth.

“This is bigger than a long dead protector Seth. We need that energy to protect us now. If we can’t find a way to protect ourselves against the prophesized great freeze, we are all going to die, and the dragon’s sacrifice will be for nothing!” The princeling bites back.

“Will you both get a grip!” Elle raises her voice sharply, making a smile play on my lips. Maybe I could be up for one more adventure after all.

“Well, if you three are planning to travel to the valley, you’ll need a guide. Thankfully, I happen to be available.” They all swivel to stare at me.

“No offence ma’am.” Seth states warily.

“But we can’t guarantee your safety on this journey,” Elle finishes.

“Not to mention we don’t need you kicking the bucket or turning to dust before we even make it halfway,” Brandon scoffs. That makes me laugh out loud. I rise from the table, gathering my things. I tie back my silver hair with an ease developed through decades of repetition. A bag of herbal remedies and antidotes over my shoulder, as well as a sleeve of daggers on my hip. Lastly a steel enforced walking stick.

“I don’t think it will be too much hassle, three young strapping individuals such as yourselves looking after one old lady. Besides, I noticed your party is short a healer.” They look to each other in silent conversation. Finally, Brandon rolls his eyes and Elle stands extending a hand

“Welcome aboard Beatrice, the last dragon rider.”