The Secret of the Valley

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. The Valley was a place that had become my haven and refuge. It had been my S.O.S.–a place of safety that gave me the opportunity to find security. When he brought me here, he said that the Valley would always supply what I needed. Since that time, I have come here many times. I came with every crisis, every uncertainty, every mistake, every hurt. Each time I came, I found exactly what I needed here. “So, why did the dragons come? Why would I need dragons?”

I can always remember my fascination with the supernatural. Dragons, as they taught us, are mythical creatures. However, as I look at this dangerous yet majestic creature, I am in awe of its sheer size and beauty. I am mystified by its caring and peaceful nature. This creature is embracing me and caressing me. Although, I know how dangerous they are; I feel a peace and safety that I have never felt before. Yet, the questions come. “Why is this creature so attentive to me? Who am I?”

“Why do I need dragons?” My mind is racing. “Why would I need dragons? Was it because I did not come alone this time?” Earth had started the countdown to self-destruction. The inevitable was almost here. People needed help. There were women and children who needed safety. I acted quickly and did exactly what I needed to do. I brought them here. My refuge was where I brought them. “I could not just leave them, could I?”

While I was lost in my thoughts, he emerged out of what appeared to be nothing. He came as mysteriously as he had the first time. When he walked, it was as if he was gliding in the air. There was no effort to his movements. The atmosphere changed with his movement, as if his thoughts materialize instantaneously. “Wait! His movements were as graceful as those of the dragons.” They seemed to communicate. As he moved towards me, the dragons moved and allowed him to pass. He said nothing. He just continued to walk towards me, but his demeanor is different. The softness in his touch and the care in his voice were not there.

“Wait! His voice! He’s not speaking.” His body language made me want to second guess myself and my actions. I thought that it may have been a mistake to bring the people here. “Oh! The people!” I was so engrossed in my thoughts I’d forgotten about them. They must be afraid. I looked around, wanting to assure them they were safe. However, they stood mesmerized and in awe of what they saw. I forgot how the beauty of this place could make you forget everything. The children were playing in the fields and the adults had found spaces where they could rest. No one was showing signs of fear or distress. It was as if they had not noticed the dragons. “How could they not see creatures as large as these?” So, I turned back to him, and once again, fear reared her ugly head.

When he finally reached me, I noticed the dragons encircled us like a shield. My fear and uncertainty had enveloped me like a shroud and before he could say anything, I fell to my knees and tried to explain. I tried to answer a question that had not been asked. “I couldn’t just leave them to die. I just couldn’t do that.” That look on his face and seriousness in his eyes seemed to burn a hole right through my soul. I just couldn’t look at his face anymore. I looked to the ground in desperation. “Don’t you understand! They would have died. What was I to do?” He looked down, and me and reached his hand out for me to take it. He helped me to my feet.

He embraced me, and all the fear melted away. He never spoke, but I heard him in my mind. “Why do you allow fear to paralyze you and, to second guess yourself?” I could not answer because I did not know. “You have nothing to fear here.” In that moment and in his embrace, I believed him. It was then that I felt a playful nudge on my arm. At first, I thought it was one of my children trying to get my attention. However, I could hear them playing. I looked up from his embrace to see the beautiful dragon once again. It wants to play. It was then that I realized the dragons were with him!

It was the only creature or person who came into the circle with us! This creature is beautiful, and I am not afraid of it. I found myself mesmerized by the sheer beauty and peaceful manner of this creature. There was another nudge and what I think was an attempted hug. The other dragons were still patiently waiting. These creatures reminded me of loving pets waiting to be acknowledged.

As I was being wooed by my new pet, my benefactor contemplated the people. I asked him again, “Was I wrong to bring them?” He turned back to me. There was that softer, caring face. Finally, he speaks audibly! “We have been expecting this day for quite some time. We have been preparing for it.” My mind was racing again. “Preparing for it! What is he talking about?” It is such a nuisance sometimes to have such an analytical mind. However, what could I do? I turned to him and asked, “Who am I? Who or what are you?” In all the years that I have visited the Valley, there have never been any other people other than my family when I brought them with me. He never came back until today. This added to the apprehension that I feel. I have so many questions.

I was about to ask them my questions when I felt a gentle nudge on my arm. It startled me and I fell against his chest. Something in the atmosphere had changed again. There was a sense of tension in the air. I knew that the conversation was over for now. There was a face rubbing itself against my arm. The dragon wanted to be embraced, and I surprised myself when I allowed it. The scales were so amazingly smooth and cool for such a beast of fire. They were iridescent and reminded me of polished opals. The eyes were a beautiful color of amber. To my surprise, this beautiful and playful dragon is a female!

“Oh! Yes! There are dragons!” She is talking to me the same way he had. She told me she is mine! “What does that mean?” If dragons could smile, I would swear on a stack of bibles that she just smiled at me. “I am your protector, silly!” Now, I’m looking at her in dismay! Thousands of questions going through my mind. They must be like a ticker tape across my forehead! I need answers! Something is happening. The tension is so thick, it feels palpable. The man climbed on top of the largest of the dragons. This dragon is a smooth and shiny black. He spoke to my mind, “Mistress, I am Obsidian. Please allow me and the Master to handle this situation.” Before I could say anything, he flew away.

“You may call her, Opal.” I heard Obsidian say from the air, “Opal will protect you and your children. The others will protect the people. Do not fight against them. The Master will answer your questions later, but now we must handle those who would do you harm.” My children had come to stand beside me. Opal moved to separate me and my children from the others like a protective barrier. The others also moved to place a protective barrier around the people. It was then that I noticed the portal opening. “How? Who else knew about the portal? Was I careless? Did I lead them here?” It opened and soldiers came through, ready for battle. It was then that I noticed there were men on the backs of the dragons.

The soldiers were so young, but eager to fight. Yet, they had no idea of what they were fighting for or whom. Things in our world had gone so terribly wrong. The government only sought to protect themselves and their own self interests. Law enforcement had problems with brutality and favoritism. Everyone was so wrapped up in their desires and wants that we forgot how to care for each other until we were in another civil war. The day we came through the portal, there were bombs flying from the sky. It was as if the world had gone crazy. There was no food, no shelter, and no help. As they walked through this portal, these misguided soldiers faced a myth. They faced a creature that in their mind does not exist. You could feel their fear. It is as if you could taste the fear. Because of fear and disbelief, they were no opposition for the warriors flying on dragons. They surrendered.

Now I could hear the women and children crying behind us. I was hugging my own children as they held to me in fear. These were the ones that were chasing us. “Did we lead them here? How did they activate the key to open the portal?” Opal looked at me and said, “We were expecting them and it’s not over yet.” Opal would not allow me to leave her side. She had somehow placed my babies on her back. She told me, “I have been instructed to protect you and these little ones by all means! That is what I will do with every breath I take.” “Opal, who am I? Protected by all means? Why?”

There was a memory from many years ago that hit me like a rock in the face. “Sweetheart,” my mother said, “you were my third pregnancy but the first to survive.” Where was this conversation going? “Dear, you need to pay attention.” Mom had a very serious look on her face. “A lady came to me and gave me your name. She said that if I wanted you to live, I would have to follow her instructions. She said this is important because you are important.” I’d forgotten the conversation because it was ambiguous. So, I asked again, “Who am I?”

My mind is racing. “Is this why I see and feel things differently? Is this why I was treated differently from my siblings? Is this why I’ve never felt as if I belong?” Oh, the questions. My head is pounding! Opal nudged my arm while saying, “All is well! All of your questions will be answered. Be patient!”

The battle was over. The portal was secure. He was returning! He said, “You need answers, and your people need food and shelter. Come with us…“