There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

“There weren't always dragons in the Valley.”

“There was a time when magic flowed freely and without prejudice. It flows thru our flora and fauna, in the air and ground, and lastly within ourselves. Those golden years where all to short young one.” Aegix said as he looked out at the beautiful valley from his tower balcony, marveling at the breathtaking view that was this valley.

“What happened?” asked Renin as he stood next to him on the balcony. Aegix signed and replied. “Two things, first the nexus.”

Renin eyes went wide as he said “oh, you mean the great portal?”. Aegix turns to look at Renin as he says, “It was much more then that.” The Nexus was a convergence of five separate worlds via dimensional portals that sprung up all over our world, and through those portals came five different races, one of them being what we call dragons, each portal seemed to let just one type of the different races through.”

Aegix took a moment to look at Renin, whose eyes was still glued to him and as still as a stone. Aegix smiled and continued his tale. “The first few dragons that came through, were peaceful though we had issue trying to communicate till one of them casted a spell that allowed them to understand our language, which made communication easier between us.”

“How long was the portal opened?” Renin asked. “About a week, then they closed and has remained so for hundreds of years.” Aegix ran his fingers over his goatee as he replied, “The dragons are such a majestic and loyal race. They helped us to refine our magic abilities, they were so much more advanced in magical control then us, so much so it seemed, that they were magic incarnate. It was a shame what lead to the second thing that destroyed our golden age.” Aegix’s eyes goes grim as he continues.”

“Remember how I said five different races total came through the nexus portals?”, Renin nods yes. “Well one of those races became furious when they learned the dragons and our people were working together peacefully, so they started attacking our settlements, razing settlements and villages to the ground. No one was spared”

“Ah the Axis wars” Renin exclaimed. Aegix nods his head in agreement, “Yes and that race is called the Covan. Apparently, they are blood enemies with the dragons, and saw their pact with us as a tipping of power in the dragon’s favor, so they sought to eliminate us before the dragons could make us any stronger and in turn, an even greater threat to them.”

“Due to the immense power of the Covan race, they were very successful in irradicating many of our people, our towns, our villages, our cities. This brought a fear to our people never before felt, we were desperate.”

“As you know, people do desperate things in desperate times.” “This led to six magistars envious of the dragon’s power, and scared of our possible annihilation as a race, to conspire and then trick one of the peaceful dragons to participate in a magical rite where they told her she was key to helping them defeat the Covan with this rite, when in reality that abomination of a rite ripped the dragon apart and shared her power and abilities amongst those six mages.”

“What! I can’t believe they could betray the dragons that way! Who was the dragon they tricked?”. “His name was ‘Garum’. Wrong as it was, never forget ‘desperation’ young one, desperation can make a weak-willed person do unspeakable evils, in order to save oneself. Those six amongst us were very jealous of the dragon’s power and they coveted it.”

“Those magistars unfortunately were successful, the dragon’s powers and abilities were transferred into the six mages, instantly/ painfully changing their looks. Each one looking a bit different though they all had some kind of scales on their bodies and wings as well.” Renin looking shocked replies” I can’t believe they actually got away with that!”.

“They became too powerful for us to deal with them ourselves, they pranced around acting high and mighty. When someone tried to challenge them, they were smacked down like you would a fly, there was nothing we could do. But what they did not realize was that dragons scream was so horrific, it sent a psychic backlash to many any dragon remotely close to her, letting them all see and feel her pain.”

“It was only after did everyone realize she was a revered member of their race. So as the six magistars plotted and discussed amongst themselves how best to win this war, the dragons came up with a plan of their own.”

“What did the dragons do in return?”

“Something we did not know they could do, polymorph themselves to look exactly like us and hunted down the mages responsible and was able to kill all but one of them. As they killed each one, they drained that mage of all their magical power and embed it into a talisman small enough for a human to wear. Then reverted back to their original forms and told us what they did and the betrayal they felt as a result of the transgressions of our people.”

“Why did they not just destroy us all, why did they put that power into a talisman that a human could wear?” Renin said confused, “they said that they would be no better than us if they did, they just wanted those that were responsible and would continue to hunt the last remaining magistar that wronged them, till he was dead.”

“They also said, that they would stop fighting alongside us against the Covan. That we were on our own against the coming onslaught, as punishment for our people killing one so revered amongst their kind. As for the talisman, they said ‘if we deemed a human worthy of wielding the power of a dragon, to give it to him as there may come a time when humankind will be backed into a corner against the Covan”

Renin looking a little confused asked, “So why is this valley still safe if the dragons removed their help, their protection of us?” Aegix waved Renin to follow him to the balcony, then pointed down to a massive dragon statute with his hands posed as if he was casting a spell.

“His name was ‘Aleron’ against the wishes of his kind he went to the center of our city and erected a magical energy field encompassing the entire valley. He sacrificed his very life essence to do this. After that his entire body went solid.

“Wait, you mean to tell me that massive dragon statue in the center of town was alive?”

“That would be correct”

“All these years, I thought it was just an intricately sculpted statue, I had no clue.”

“Very few folks other then the ones that were there when it happened knows, and those that do are sworn to keep it a secret.” Renin looking perplexed asks, “Why would the council keep that a secret?” “Remember what I said about desperation and envy?”

“Yes”

“Well, there are those in the council that are still envious and now bitter about the dragon’s choice to leave us to the rage of the Covan.” “Damn,” Renin explained. “Why is it the more politically powerful one gets, the more corrupt they are”? “That is the million Krelan question my boy, and also why I never sought a seat on the council”

Renin nods his head and replies, “So that energy barrier is why the Covan have not been able to raid the city?” Renin asked, “Any one of Covan decent will be incinerated by that energy field if they tried to enter the city.” Renin started to ask another question when Aegix interrupted him, “And yes there where a few attempts in the past where the Covan spies tried to infiltrate the valley… they found out the hard way the energy field is for real.”

“I see”, So we are left to deal with the Covan’s alone?” “Yes, it seems that way”. “What about the other three races?”. “Every time we have sent out an emissary to discuss the matter with them, our emissaries have never returned. I fear the Covan are making sure we do not have any contact with the other three races.”

Just then a young magistar knocks on Aegix door. “Come in”. The young magistar enters and nods his head in reverence towards Aegix then says, “Lord Aegix, your presence has been requested by the council”. Aegix looks at Renin then back to the young magistar in front of him as he says, “Of course, I will be there at once.”

Renin and Aegix both follow behind the young magistar till they get to the door of the council chamber, then the young magistar stops and says, “the council only asked for you Lord Aegix. Your apprentice will have to wait here with me.” Aegix looks at Renin and tells him, “Wait here, I will be all right.” Renin nods his head.

After thirty minutes, the door opens once again, and out comes Aegix. His face looking stern. “What happened Lord Aegix?” Aegix looks seriously at Renin, “It seems the council has come to the conclusion that only someone of my ‘wisdom and magical prowess’, can safely reach the other races to convey our hopes of their assistance in this war.”

Renin opened his mouth to say something and Aegix interrupted him on purpose saying, “Come, help me pack my things, I have been given a great honor and must be ready for whatever comes my way.” He then looks at the young magistar that came and got them and says, “Thank you for getting us.” The young magistar nods his head once again. And says, “The honor was mine”, with a wicked smile.

Renin saw that smile and started to say something but Aegix just put his hand on Renin’s shoulder and says, “Time is wasting young one, the council wants me to leave as soon as possible. Renin turns and looks at Aegix with worry on his face as the two men walk down the corridor.

Once they reach Aegix’s room, Renin closes the door and Aegix casts a quick spell and the entire room glows briefly then dims down, Then Renin asks “Why you?”. Aegix replies sternly, “Because certain members of the council see me as a threat to their position, and want to wash their hands of me.” “Let me guess, the same ones that made all those saw what Aleron did?” Aegix nods his head yes as he packs his bags.

“Master, let me come with you” Aegix stops packing at that moment then turns to face his apprentice. “The path I have been put on is not a pleasant one, there is no telling what hardships I may encounter, not even including the Covan.”

“I know Master, but aren’t you the one that always said ‘a blade is only as powerful as the fires that forged it, and the oil it was quenched in’. Aegix smiles hearing this, “It seems my lectures have not fallen on deaf ears, this pleases me.” Aegix then resumes his packing with Renin still standing there waiting.

“Why are you standing there doing nothing, I thought you wanted to go with me?” Renin’s face beams a wide smile, then he hurries to his room to pack himself. “Remember to pack clothes for both cold and hot seasons, and plenty of health potions and rations.”

“Yes Master” Renin comes back in 20 minutes with an adventure’s back pack on. As he enters the room, he sees Aegix put on a necklace he never seen him wear before but dismisses it. Aegix looks at Renin and asks, “Your Father’s?” “Yes, he gave it to me with his blessings, said it served him well.

” Aegix smiled and replied, “I’m shocked your father did not try to keep you here?” Renin shook his head no and said,” He realizes the importance of what we are about to take on, and he said the only person besides him he would entrust my well-being to is you. An anyone that would be stupid enough to get on your bad side, has not long to live on this plane of existence.” Aegix laughed out loud at what Renin said, “Hah! Your dad has seen me in rare form more than once.”

Renin responded with a smile. Master, I am ready.” “Good, is everything in order?”” "Yes, master, I double checked it."

“Well then let’s be on our way”

Aegix turns around as they walk out of Aegix's room and utters a silent incantation. A huge sigil appears over his door for a moment, then fades away. “The fool that tries to break into my room shall have a nasty surprise waiting for them."

Renin nods, and they exit the enclave of the Magistars after walking down the corridor. As they get outside, they walk up to the dragon statue and Aegix pauses for a moment and places his hand on the ‘dragon statue’.

“My old friend it seems the future you foresaw has come to pass.” He then places his other hand on his chest over where the necklace he is wearing is resting at on his chest hidden under his shirt. “I will keep your legacy with me till the time is nigh, till we meet again my friend.” Aegix then turns to Renin and says, “Our adventure begins” Renin nods and they both walk off towards the gates leading out of the city…

As the two walk away, the seven members of the council are sitting down looking at a image of the two men at the dragon statue, then watches as they walk off. “Good riddance” one of them says, “We have gotten rid of a serious thorn in our sides rather skillfully I must say”, says another. A female High Magistar in red replies, “What if he makes contact with the other races and can bring them to our aid? He will be looked upon as a hero and thereby untouchable by us.” “Another High Magistar in all green and gold says, “If he killed along the way our problem is solved, and if he is successful, it will help our cause, but don’t worry for I have a backup plan if that happens.” “The female magistar asks and what of his apprentice?”

The magistar's look at one another and the one in green and gold says, “Casualty of war.”

All the magistar's say as if in agreement, “Yes a casualty of war” and they all smile…