Valley of the Dragons

Dragons weren’t always in the valley.

At one point, the deep and rolling valleys of Driel were nothing but tall grass, wild flowers, and streams trickling down from the snow-capped mountains. Tall and wide mountain ranges are nearly all around. In fact, at one point dragons were populous on the continent of Shrialle, but that hasn’t been for a long while. With only the occasional glimpse of a dragon.Around here, they were hardly common, but apparently that has changed in the past few years.

Callix looks on from the top of a hill and hides to the side. A shepherd of a nearby village has often hiked among the ranges and self-trodden trails. Bewildered at the sight of medium-sized dragons of varying hues against the lush green; reds, teal, silver, and orange were quite common among them. Their fires are just as colorful, some even breathing green or purple fires. With many moving about in the air or on the ground, he really couldn’t count them all. These dragons weren’t of the larger size and this valley was wide, as it was deep. The cliff sides were quite rocky, with tufts of grass and flowers growing through the rocky soil.

Roaming his eyes, he could see some sizable ones perched upon higher cliffs looking down at the group. Perhaps they were the leaders; watching either for intruders or making sure the rest don’t cause trouble. A small group rode the tail winds in a tight circle. Some on the ground lazed around the few lakes formed by the streams or floated in the water. Nearly completely submerged except for the tops of their heads, backs, and snouts. Not sure how deep those lakes were for all, Callix could tell they could have been wading through the water; their spiked tail swishing back and forth.

One a bit a ways and to itself stretched its wings. Another enjoying a hunt snapped at a younger dragon trying to get a bit its kill. It blew out a bit of curling gray smoke. Spiraling upwards it reminds him of the smoke a fortune teller uses for predictions. Fire magic and similar practices were commonplace in the area. In some bigger villages, especially where dragons once prominent, still have festivals and rituals regarding them.

Not so true in the West and a bit of the Southern parts of the continent and the isle offshore of the Niar Harbor. So he heard from travelers and traders. Despite his occupation had learned to read; albeit usually simpler material and with some added effort. Have read, in his bit of time, about dragons. Usually about the mythos surrounding them and their role in supposedly creating the world; along with several other types of mystics and their associated elements.

Now, look at them hiding in these mountains; this small group apparently settled in. Noticing piles of rocks set up in a formation that isn’t akin to fallen rocks. Even Callix could figure out how they were arranged. Those imposing creatures diligently nudged these heavy stones with their snouts. Stones meant to line the edges of a shallow circle dug by their talon-like claws. Which, mostly, built to rip up meat and muscle. With their tails swept soft moss and grass onto the bottom. Nestling the eggs, usually between three to five in a clutch. Over the stones is placed a flat rock to complete the kiln-like structure.

Callix, gets a glimpse of a dragon using its flame in a way few probably observed. Taking a long intake of breath with her wide nostrils. Inhaling its smoke along with the air. Breathing in the carbon and nitrogen of the air. Down their long neck and her chest, a chemical reaction forms a soft glow and travels back up and out of their mouth. In a slow, precise stream of orangish-blue flame. Going around the kiln with just enough heat. Afterwards and the rocks have cooled a bit, the mother curls around it. Resting and perhaps guarding it. Most of the nest appears to have a dragon around it. Despite the stories, it isn’t gold they guard but a different type of treasure.

Life ‌is a precious treasure, but with these endangered species, the value is tripled. Perhaps, in a few generations, their numbers will thrive again. It might take longer to get closer to how it was, but it is a start. Just seeing them making a once empty valley into their home shows adaptability. It was only recently he had seen them here, so this is perhaps the first generation to settle here. The ones in the eggs will hopefully be the first to hatch and live here fully.

It is a nice thing to be a witness to, and hopefully, the dragons and the village will ‌coexist well enough for the prosperous future to happen.

There weren’t always dragons in these valleys, but now that is no longer true.