Valley of Dragons

"There weren't always dragons in the Valley"

"I know Sir Fredrick" A small chuckle slipped out of the mouth of a young maiden standing in the archway of a large stable. Her hair fell to her shoulders in golden rose colored curls. Her smile brought attention to her subtle pale blue eyes that collected as much light as a Mundani dragon would. "Is this the story I will continue to bestow upon the land when you're gone?"

"Calypso, this is a serious matter and a very serious story." The stern voice did not match the kind and experienced face. Sir Fredrick stood still in armor that held his body for years. His white hair carefully pushed back and matching white beard neatly kept, showed both his age and gentleness quite clearly. A smirk grew slowly on his face as he shook his head. "You go ahead and fetch us the meat before they get too hungry." He points her way to a field and trail that led its way into the village within the Valley.

Calypso made no hesitation to heading straight to the market. Leaving no time to stop and smell the roses. In what felt like minutes, Calypso found herself surrounded by the busyness of a crowded and muddy market. Watching the villagers wander through collecting their goods and wares, she finally spotted the stand that held what she was looking for.

"There she is!" A big burly bearded man pushed past the curtains of a nearby hut, revealing large hairy arms and a smock smeared in a rusty brown substance. His appearance was rough at first but the demeaner couldn't be more sweet. He quickly swept Calypso off her feet and placed her back down. "Calypso, my sweet. I have your goods, but please no payment today. You saved my daughter last week and I couldn't ask you for anything else."

Her mind slipped back to the day this man was discussing. It was dark and the rushing water of a nearby creek was more course than usual. A tiny and sweet little voice pushed through the air, crying for help. Calypso had found this little girl had slipped into the water and held onto the edge of a nearby fallen log, slowly slipping out of her grasp. If she hadn't been there collecting water, the girl would have disappeared into the night without a trace.

"Please Garsh, I couldn't take this without payment. You are kind and you deserve the coin" She smiled, placing her hand gently on his cheek, watching his eyes close slowly and open back up to reveal the swelling of tears. "Take the coin, and tell her to come visit me anytime she needs the company."

A small nod and a quick trade, Calypso found herself back on the trail. As time slipped by, the tranquility of the trail was quickly interrupted by the beat of hooves approaching closer and closer. She could sense the pace and turned around just in time to feel the dirt on the ground cling to her skirt. A large stallion sliding in sideways as a harsh and course "WOAH" called out from on top.

"Does the brain not match the beauty?" The man called out again, leaving the air around his words cold and clammy. His eyebrows hung low in anger, the dark eyes held no light as they stared down at the woman he almost ran over.

"Pardon?" She spoke, dusting herself off and glaring back at the man. "How dare you ride up onto a woman alone in the Valley with such disrespect. Who do you think you are?". Her voice appeared sturdy despite the pounding in her chest.

A quick scoff escaped the mans' lips. His dark slick hair slithered around his face in the wind. A woman speaking to him in this way, let alone another human being in general, was a shock and a slap in the face. He swiftly swung his legs around the horse who's beautiful colors matched the color of his hair. The man's garments were clean and light in color. He truly carried himself with higher power.

"Little miss...it should benefit you to hold your tongue in my presence. I dare say the bold words that come from your tongue are not impressive." He spoke, his words coming with a hint of retaliation. "Get upon the horse now."

Calypso stood staring, confused to the questionable switch in conversation. A reprisal to an invite? "No?" She spoke, unsure of why the strange man would command anything of her.

"Do as I say" He grunted, swiftly picking her up and setting her onto the back of the gentle beast without a hint of struggle. Leaving Calypso in shock, she sat and stared once again at the audacity of the man. "What has come over you?" She asked, watching him pick up her parcel and climbing back up onto the horse.

"Taking you back to wherever you came from. Getting you out of my damn hair." He growled, clicking his heel and allowing for a steady and slow take off. "Based off the...garments upon your body, I assume you must belong to the stables down at the end of the Valley. Am I wrong?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the trail, moving natural with the horse.

With the trail not being the smoothest ride, Calypso found herself looking for something to hold onto. "Yes..." She spoke hesitantly. A small bump causing her to thrust into the mans back and grabbing onto his waist.

"Pardon.." The man spoke, clearing his throat in an attempt to change the air between them. More of a sudden change but he felt hopeful to redeem his integrity and image. "Gallo can be a little rough for new riders." His voice slowly calmed down into a semi gentle but still course vibrato.

Calypso, still confused and irritated, kept quiet. Her hands still holding on, hoping he would just shut up and reach the stables. Near her right wrist, she could feel the end of what could possibly be a weapon. Perhaps a smaller sword for easy travel. She quickly decided it was best to play nice until she could get off this traveling ride.

"Ahh, this must be the place" He spoke again, slowing down Gallo to a nice and soft stop in front of a wooden post. He gave no time between stopping and exiting the horse. A hand covered in cloth reached up to the women as a kinder gesture to release her from Gallo's height. She quietly slipped down on the other side, ignoring the hand and it's offer. Brushing off the remaining dirt, Calypso nodded and grabbed the parcel she purchased and slipped it under her arm.

"We shall start anew...since I did provide your transport so kindly." The man grinning and gave a little bow. "The name is Lord Alaric. I am sure you have heard of the name." He said proudly, standing back up only to find the woman halfway to the stable entryway. "Excuse me, did you not hear my words?". He quickly pushed past the horse and made his way to her.

"I heard you, your Lordship." Calypso rolled her eyes and turned slightly to address the man. "The name is Calypso, no Lady to be announced." She gave a small insignificant bow and stood back up. "If you would please forgive me for my rudeness, I would like to continue on with my evening alone now." Behind her, through the dark stable, came the sounds of movement. Not hooves though, something heavier. A shuffle and a breath that echoed through, pushing past Calypsos' kind locks.

Lord Alaric, stood in curiosity, his hand slowly slipping to his side and resting on his small and convenient sword. "That did not sound like the beasts I ride." His words slowly trail off with the wind as a body appeared through the dark archway. At first small, and then larger with each step closer until the body filled the entire doorway. Scales that caught the colors of the sky and released them back into the atmosphere. It's head moved like a snake as it sniffed the air, finding its way to the woman, who looked tiny in comparison.

Calypso let out a small giggle as the magnificent beast nudged his large scaly nose into her arm. A purr, if it can be called that, echoed through the ground, vibrating the feet of anyone nearby. Calypso watched the man, as she slowly pulled the raw purchased meat out of it's bag and slipped it into the mouth of the beast. She watched as the man's eyes grew wider in horror and pure fear. Without another second passing, he pulled out his sword and set back in his stance.

"I wouldn't do that" Calypso sighed and lifted her hands to ease the man's anxiety.

"What the f-"