Volshire

1 - From War to Promise

There weren't always dragons in the valley. What is now named Volshire was once but a sea of rolling green pasture, devoid of much life but the calm grazing beasts among it. Now, villages line the river's edge that cuts between the risen peaks. At night the lit torches of each dwelling resemble the stars above, merging seamlessly into the night sky. Here, a golden age free of conflict or hunger corresponds to the closest thing to paradise & heaven that could be constructed decades after the end of the great war.

Several generations ago, the village elder and founder led the glorious beasts here from the eastern settlements. These creatures are unlike any discovered species before them. They resemble a type of large reptile; with long slender bodies and rock are scales that glisten like enormous variegated jewels. Adolescents' wings will emerge later and lack the ability to fly until adulthood. Some become very large, and others remain smaller neither based on gender nor circumstance. Each holds a unique personality, connecting intimately with the different humans of the village. Dragons were once wholly unknown and even regarded as myth not too long ago. These gentle but immense beasts assist with various daily tasks; the sowing & cultivating of seeds and plants and the provision of fires for cooking and forging. Regardless of the peaceful nature presented to the villagers, riders will patrol atop the peaks, fending off potential raiders in nearby villages and cities struck with poverty & pestilence. Many ask where they came from, though only one knows the truth of the before time.

Only one elder named Coren recalls having met the dragons during the great war. Through a heroic and perilous adventure, Coren and Rayne, the first of the dragons, chose this valley as the place of settlement. Young children who frolic through the village, hand and claw with the newly hatched babies, all gather around the elder so that he may tell them of his adventure once again. They gather around patiently, and no matter how many times he tells the story, they gaze up at him with glistening astonished eyes.

* * *

Just over eighty-five rotations ago, Coren was but a wanderer. His family was cut down in the last great war, and only he could escape within a thread of his life. Though war had struck the lands countless times before, it never seemed to cease once men gained great power in hopes of retaining their authoritarian rule over all life. Civilizations ultimately caused the destruction of themselves, where kings would wage massive war against one another for power and glory. Coren, a young farmer now fearful and helpless, escaped with only a few implements to help him fend off any threats that may catch up to him. But he knew that if he were caught, they would enslave him for the rest of his days, forcing him to work in the mines until he collapsed from hunger or sickness. Hungry, tired, and limited in his means of survival, Coren traveled into the hill in hopes of finding shelter from the rampaging hordes.

Close to death, Coren stumbled upon a cave masked behind a thicket of oak. For several nights he stayed there, hoping to wait out the passing hordes. But, Galloping hordes that sounded like raging thunder swept by, leaving him to remain quiet and still. Each passing day became colder, leaving him no choice but to attempt to gather some supplies. For hours, Coren tried to spark the kindling until his finger bled. Cold air continued to rush through the mouth of the cave, singing in a deep enharmonic howl. Falling helplessly into the fetal position, he pulled his arms and legs and attempted to keep himself warm. He knew if the raiders didnt kill him, these severe conditions would.

* * *

...A sensation of warmth surged through Coren's body.

A bright orange glow broke the darkness from behind his eyes. The unique sound of a crackling fire could be heard directly in front of him. Opening his eyes, Coren saw that the fire he had ripped his hands apart to light was miraculously ignited. Coren moved closer to the fire. His nearly frozen body was beginning to absorb the warmth. Looking curiously around the cave, Coren couldn't help but wonder what could have ignited his flame. Finally, sense of relief as Coren laid his back against the ground, placing his hand behind his head. Immediately he noticed on the ceiling a long, slender lizard-like creature whose eyes reflected the glow of the fire like radiant rubies. Coren jumped to his feet, grabbed his hoe, backing up slowly toward the cave wall. The creature detached from the cave ceiling and stared intensely at Coren. It looked neither hostile nor friendly but with a curious disposition. It curled up and laid down beside it, directing its attention to the fire, ignoring the frightened man.

Perhaps this thing lit the flame, Coren thought. But no creature can manipulate fire besides humankind. It resembled species that he had ever seen. It was much too large to be any known type of lizard unless uniquely a prospect of these caves that are rarely, if ever, explored in their entirety. Coren feared moving closer toward the fire. Slowly, he walked toward the fire, watching each step not to startle the sleeping beast. Sitting cross-legged next to the fire, the beast laid sound asleep next to him. If it meant to harm, it would have attacked him by now...right? Coren sat awake, assuming that lowering his defenses would inevitably end his demise.

Coren peaked his head out of the mouth of the cave, noticing that the blizzard had finally subsided. Behind him, the creature was awake, staring curiously at him again. For a while they sat, peering into the glowing fire. It seemed more than a coincidence that they met under these circumstances. Coren thought about his family and the demise of his village as it too went up in flames. His reality filled him with rage, but now, there was nothing he could do but hope that these monsters would annihilate each other before the rest of the world.

"Thank you for your help," Coren said to the beast, who curiously peered at him.

As Coren prepared to embark east, hoping to find the allies, the beast tried to follow him. It was difficult to tell, but the beast behaved as if it were in its adolescence, a child seeking parental comfort. Regardless of the seemingly different aspects of these two creatures, they seemed to form a connection. They needed each other more than they would have known.

Having been emersed in darkness for several days, the sun's glare blinded Coren as he emerged from inside the cave. A veil of snow perfectly covered the landscape. He hadn't much choice now but to seek out the allied' front. He had hoped that the allies were not defeated when he arrived. For now, he and his new companions would have no choice but to survive. Hope was all he had for now. Still tired and weakened from having had little to eat and very little sleep, Coren felt an urge of confidence. It was better to not be alone out here. Looking down at his newfound companion, Coren felt a powerful connection to the beast unlike any he's felt before. It was time that they now head east in search of sovereignty.