The real dragons who will judge our stories

"There weren't always dragons in the Valley is what everyone is saying, Tlomeny, who are they getting all this information from, all these stories are making my head spin, is it...."? "Well let me just stop you right there missy. First of all, you all know nothing of dragons. Did you stop to consult a real dragon to get all the facts. Of course not, you all just took it upon your human heads and started spitting out a whole distorted confabulation of misinformation from here there and everywhere, it's enough to give us dragons nightmares for the rest of our lives".

"Why didn't you humans come to see us before you started your journey into talking about our business, writing tales about us without our consent, that is a little presumptuous, how would you feel if we went about maligning your names. Maybe we will just start doing that, harrumph, bah and humbug"!

The dragons all nodded in agreement with Tlomeny. They didn't mind being written about, they just wanted the facts to be known.

"Well, what is the true story. I must admit I have been reading a lot of these stories, some are really great, some are good stories, some are funny as heck, some are downright ridiculous, like some of mine seriously are. Not all of us are good or great writers, but I must admit, we have outdone ourselves on this challenge. Heck and darn, people love to write about you guys. The twists and plots that have emerged from the minds of these writers, you have to respect every one of them. All of these, I mean us, writers have such active imaginations, I can just imagine how hard it is going to be to pick out the best ones to present to you guys. I hear we are getting big prizes if we win".

"Yes, the agreement was reached after much deliberation with your elders, we will help them judge the writings, collaboration between us all will lead to an understanding of each other".

"That will be so great. I am so looking forward to getting to the truth".

"Ok, you can turn on your recording device now". Tlomeny stared off into the distance, lost in memories, sometimes he smiled, then he frowned, I imagined some of the memories were painful while others brought fond reminders and echoes of yesteryears. Tlomeny was the oldest of the dragonkind, he was there from the beginning, when dragons lived a really long time. I hope he will explain how much of that has changed.

Finally, he turned to face the recorder, sighed heavily, and began to speak.

"There have always been dragons in the valley. Contrary to what is mostly known, there were dragons like us, but there were also humankinds with your form, but who had wings just like us".

I blinked rapidly, digesting this odd bit of information. I however, reserved my questions for later.

"We existed in peace for hundreds of years, serving and respecting each other equally. But, as in every civilization, there was one who wanted power over all. A humankind who found dragons to be arrogant and of a superior nature. Truth be told we were superior to their kind. We were stronger, wiser and far more intelligent. After all we were from different species. In their own way they had the same virtues, but they always turned to us for guidance and protection. Their was no envy or jealousy, we just supported each other the way we knew best".

I had to know more about the winged humans part. "Tlomeny, sorry to interrupt, but could you explain the winged human part more clearly".

"All will be explained, a little patience please"!

"Gothfreid, the rebellious humankind, convinced his great number of followers that dragons needed to be taken down a peg or two, that they were the dominant species and dragons should be their slaves. Now, let me ask you, can the humankind breathe fire, can they fly over great distances without eliciting the aid of us dragons. Can they join their hearts with their spirits to make them stronger. In times of need do they not turn to us for protection No, they could not do all these things. Still they wanted power over all"!

"A great many of your people writers got some points correct, if I may say so. Examples of this are, that yes, dragons brought magic into the world, we taught alchemy and astrology to humankind, yes we have the ability to become invisible, some of us can shapeshift. We taught human people how to speak our language. We do not however, eat people, if they anger some bad dragons they get hurt or worse. We are not merciless and bloodthirsty beasts, dragons eat seafood, fish, sharks, and whales, among many more, and we love seaweed".

A great sadness cast a shadow over the aging dragon's countenance.

"In the beginning humans were created from magic and alchemy to fill the need for a smaller species. Two different societies of like kind were created and brought together. They interjoined, propagated, reproduced and multiplied as a happy community. Like the dragons they were winged. Whereas dragons had four legs, they had two. They were immortal just like us, and we existed in peace for a long time". "Dragons are large and can be cumbersome sometimes, a smaller specie was needed to help bring beauty and finesse to the world all around".

"Dragons were large, winged, beautiful horned creatures, capable of great feats of strength. Their hearts were pure and they trusted their humanlike counterparts. Humankind were brave, alluring, charming and enigmatic, but capable of such cunning and deceit".

"Unfortunately, the dreaded war between dragons and humankind came to a head. Half of the humankinds wanted nothing to do with Gothfreid and his rebellion. They sided with the dragons. Some of them were scared and came to stay with the dragons in case they were attacked. The others were not so lucky. They were attacked in stealth by night by Gothfreid and his monsters. The dragons who guarded them were overwhelmed. No one survived. They had somehow elicited the help of a few rogue dragons whom the elders had chained in a dungeon for eternity"!

"The dragon elders, angry and inconsolable, ordered that Gothfreid and his cronies be rounded up. In the war that ensued half of the rebels were wiped out. Gothfreid and the others were captured, their wings were seared off by dragon fire. You could smell the flesh burning for miles. They were banished from the valley, their eyes were closed to the existence of the valley. It was a horrible thing. Gothfreid's error in judgement of the dragons cost humankind their wings. The elders of magic forbade any other humankind to be born with wings. Those who had wings could keep them but would no longer be immortal. Thus the many paid for the mistakes of the few rotten eggs".

"Humankind lost their immortality and their ability to fly, the valley became quiet and shrouded in invisibility and mystery. Humankind silently and sadly left the valley of the dragons. The camaraderie that once existed between dragon and people was lost forever. In it's place was doubt and distrust".

"It has been a long time since anyone sought us out to hear our side of the story. Why did you come here writer of dragon stories"?

"When they said there weren't always dragons in the valley, I had to find out for myself. I knew that you were always here. I could feel you calling to my soul. Maybe I could become a dragon rider, right"?

"The modern day elders have longed for the return of dragon riders, they are happy that you introduced us to your elders and gave us the opportunity to be heard and made a part of your modern history. They know that even with the truth humankind will always fantasize about the swashbuckling days of dragons and riders conquering the world"

"We hope that you win one of the prizes"! Tlomeny smiled his shrewd, crafty smile.

"I have a long way to go to get good at writing fiction and fantasy, but I am learning, thanks anyway".

"Now that our existence has been revealed, maybe we are going to need those brave dragon riders. You will be the first one we call, dragon rider Sunbeam, writer of dragon tales. Good luck on your quest of writing and flying fame".

"Wait, Tlomeny, are dragons still immortal"?

"That is a tale for another day, one story at a time. I will leave you with this poem from your human world. Such a beautiful poem song it is".

IMMORTALITY

"Goodbye for now dragon rider"!

N.A.