There is a land far away from here.
The people who live in this country are a sturdy group, hardened against the vicissitudes of life. They farm the land, raise their children, and generally prosper.
They, like many isolated groups of people, have myths and legends unique to themselves.
This group call themselves simply the Kindred.
This is their most ancient hero story:
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a terrible mystery grumbling beneath the surface. The Kindred were going about their business, planting crops, herding animals. Their children would play battle games in the fields beneath the Great Gray Mountain.
The Great Gray Mountain protected them from the winds. In the winter, it would collect the snow. In the spring, it would send streams to water the fields. It was always a benevolent presence. One day, something changed.
"Son, the Great Gray Mountain has become the nest for a group of fire dragons," the chief told his oldest child.
"The dragons have been stealing treasure from the town. You know how dragons love treasure."
The Great Gray Mountain protected them from the winds. In the winter, it would collect the snow. In the spring, it would send streams to water the fields. It was always a benevolent presence. One day, something changed.
"Son, the Great Gray Mountain has become the nest for a group of fire dragons," the chief told his oldest child.
"The dragons have been stealing treasure from the town. You know how dragons love treasure."
"I lost my best friend, Duckie, a few weeks ago. I thought he decided to fly south for the winter. Do you think they could have taken him?" the young boy responded.
"I don't know, buddy, but there's only one way to find out." The Kindred chief looked at his son with trepidation. "They are dangerous creatures. We cannot send a large group up there, it would alert the dragons."
"I can do it, father. Let me go. I can be very quiet."
Our young man was brave, even a little reckless. The chief knew this, but also knew the boy was up to the task. All the children in the village, all the boys and all the girls, had been training since they were small.
The boy accepted the sword with nervousness. "I'll do my best."
"Off to the mountain!!!"
And, indeed, the dragons swarmed the top of the mountain.
Every moment, there seemed to be more of them.
They circled around and around, in a terrifying swarm.
The boy climbed the mountain. Up and up and up he went.
On the way, he tested his new sword. "Ouch! that's sharp."
"This mountain didn't seem this tall from the village."
After a long journey, he approached the mouth of the cave. What will he find there? There was treasure lining the cave floor. But something else stirred inside.
FOUR DRAGONS!!
"Oh, my!" the boy swallowed his nervousness. He knew he must press on, but was scared of the danger ahead. And then, the danger grew.
A quick inhale of breath, then there was FIRE!!!
More FIRE!!
"AAAH!!!
FIRE!!!
"The HEAT!!'
"Onward!!"
"These dragons are tough, but I'm tougher."
"But they certainly are tasty."
And the dragons were vanquished.
But there was still something at the back of the cave. The boy could see something shine in the back.
Something, perhaps, more precious than coins.
"DUCKIE!!"
The End
