Inktober #15: Legend

(see #12: Dragon for previous story)

As a child, I had grown up with stories of the Dragons of Thatchkey Castle. Saviors, defenders, patrons, legends...each of them. Ed and Morna, and their children David and Patricia. Cursed by an ancient spell that transformed them into terrifying beasts, they had been outcast from the town, defending themselves when our grandparents mistakenly and brazenly tried to kill them, simply for being different.

But the fighting stopped, and the understanding began. The Scruntch family were still people, and with their new forms came power. Power they could use to help the town.

The stories grew, and the Dragons came down from the Castle more and more often. They required nothing, no more than what jewels or trinkets we could scrounge up for their collection. It was said great wealth resided in the Castle, but the wealth they provided us in return more than made up for the loss of a ring here, a bracelet there.

Their new sense of smell made them perfect hunters. Their wings and eyes made them scouts. Their fire kept away any wayward raiders who hadn't yet heard the rumors. Their strange secretions made the crops grow no matter the season.

We wanted for nothing. Thatchkey grew. And we began to dig. After all, the Dragons needed their gold. And we were happy to.

Every so often we would see smoke in the distance. Towards Montree. Towards Brookswell. That couldn't be our Morna could it? Flying back from that direction? No. No, we thought. Maybe the Dragons were helping other towns like ours.

And then the refugees came. Or prisoners, more like.

Burned out of their cities, told to come here, help with the mines. Don't worry, said the Dragons, they will be provided for like we provide for all of you. We attacked in self-defense, you see, like with your grandparents.

August Avery had told us those stories. She died years ago now, but it was always curious that while Thatchkey grew, the Averys seemed to grow just a little bit faster. It was rumored when Paula married into the family, that first night on their honeymoon she screamed, for Liam Avery was part dragon himself.

She was right. I saw it, right before I stabbed him and he burned alive from within.

But that's for later. Where was I?

Right. The town became a city. The mines delved deep. The Dragons ruled, and the surrounding countryside fell in line with our benevolent leaders.

All was well.

But another story started to spread. Whispered. That perhaps our grandparents had the right idea.

Those that repeated the whisper...let's just say their ashes blow over the water now. But I heard that whisper. And I knew it to be true. So I prepared, in what ways I could. Took samples of their secretions when I could manage it. Tested them.

For some had noticed there was one metal we mined, after going so deep, that the Dragons hoarded above all else. And yet, it was a metal they never touched. Only human hands would touch it, and it would disappear into the Castle never to be seen again.

I hoarded every scrap I could.

Arnie, a blacksmith, helped with the rest. It was easy enough to hide the smelting and forging of a small blade among the insane supply of trinkets.

And Liam Avery burned from the inside.

We made more blades. Far too few, and no protection from the fire, but it was something.

One day, three of the Dragons were away. Rumors had flown and the smoke of campfires in the sky had told of an opposing force readying an assault. Well armed. But I knew it wouldn't be enough. Still, now was our chance.

The silent word spread. Six of us gathered at a cistern by the Castle, having seen many a Dragon fly from a hole nearby when they required secrecy. We readied our blades and climbed in.

What horrors we saw there...I will spare you. Nothing human could ever live amongst or even create what remained in that castle. The stench...

We explored for what seemed an eternity, always trying to keep ear and eye out for the remaining Dragon. There was no sign of him. Worrying, but no reason not to continue.

Finally, a door. Solidly reinforced. Close to the entrance, and no sign of the foulness found in the rest of the castle. Clean. Normal. This is where the trusted carried it to. And there was no way a mere human could open it.

"Friendssss," hissed a voice behind us. "You sssseem lost. There is no more metal being delivered today and all mussst be preparing for the oncoming assault. I shall show you back to the front door."

It was open. Someone else was there.

As David Scruntch, Dragonson, approached the door, he stiffened briefly. But it was too late. Chains flew from the sides and down from the rafters, wrapping around his limbs, his head. And all made from the metal.

His inhuman screams escaped even from his fastened mouth. Fire licked out from the sides, but to no effect. His strength fought against the castle itself, which he was now bound to. A group emerged from the shadows, smelling of the Castle, wearing the colors of the Castle, and wielding weapons of the metal.

"Stand back, we'll finish him off."
"No, wait!" I interjected.
Immediately their weapons were trained on me.
"We took you for our allies with your sneaking into the castle, but if you favor the Dragon..."
"It's not that," I said. "We need him to do something first."
"And what's that?"
I looked back towards the impassable door. Their leader smiled at me.

Weakened, and in terrible pain, David Scruntch was led towards the door. He said a mumbled prayer for his family, but he could not stand the pain. So he opened it, and burned from the inside as my blade pierced his hide.

The room was full. There was enough for armor, swords, spears.

The group from Prosha, as we eventually learned they were, sent back a scout to their army. We would need more time.

Many have died. But today, we're ready. The Castle is thoroughly trapped. Those not loyal to the Dragons have taken up arms and armor and trained with the Proshans. It's not a lot, but it's enough.

Today, we take back our city. We take back the country.

Today, the Dragons come to an end.

Today, the legend of Lisa of Thatchkey is born.