Intermezzo IV
1086 Words
INTERMEZZO IV
Just outside of Magic Hope City, in the bogs, stands a shrine from the reign of Fenroot.
It is a stone shrine architected in the old dragon ways. An imposing rectangular structure, it stands tall with doors wide enough for dragons, and columns spaced wide enough for them to fit through. The stone facade has a stunning green patina with ivy growing over it in places.
Inside is a large, empty space with murals on the walls. Of farms. Of caverns. A massive pink river is depicted running along all four walls.
Incense burns eternally at several altars positioned around the floor—one for humans, one for elves, one for dragons, and one for the solidarity between the three races. One can smell the scents of sandalwood, musk, lemon, and fire all at once.
The shrine has stood for almost a thousand years, and people still visit, not to pay tribute as they did in the old days, but to show their respect, for this shrine would have been unheard of in the reign of Old Dark. Families make a pilgrimage to it every year, and it has become such a popular attraction that a small town sprung up near it, with restaurants and shops and parks. Visitors from Magic Hope can visit the shrine and then spend the rest of the afternoon at famous elven restaurants. It is a welcome distraction from the busy metropolis.
The shrine is called The Temple of Unity, and the town nearby is Bogville. There are festivals and celebrations there every new year, where dragons, humans and elves celebrate with food and fireworks.
The Temple of Unity is revered by every race, but the truth is that it would not be standing if it were not for the efforts of a Keeper dragon named Scar. Scar was a blue dragon who lived in the bogs. He was born during the reign of Old Dark, but his family was loyal to Fenroot. Under him the temple was constructed, and Fenroot charged him with protecting it.
And protect it he did. During Fenroot’s reign there were many Dark regime dragons who tried to undo the new ruler’s progress. The temple was an easy target.
Scar did not let them even touch the Temple. Time and time again the dragon fought off Keepers and Crafters alike, and he accumulated many scars in all areas of his body, hence his nickname.
When Fenroot stepped down as dragon lord, society forgot about the temple as the monster population bloomed.
And so Scar now had to defend the Temple from monsters. And defend it he did, all while also protecting his share of the aquifer.
Scar was a quiet dragon and he did not ask for much.
By the time he reached two thousand years old, he was haggard and looked more than twice his age.
Every morning he would pace the temple grounds and use his magic to keep them clean and as splendid as it was the day it was built. Then the dragon would lumber to a nearby cave and return to sleep, only waking up when large crowds visited.
Scar was not one for small talk, and he had a reputation for being cold and short. But no one ever suffered an injury on his watch.
One morning, as Scar was sleeping in his moss cave, he heard a prayer.
Someone, somewhere on the temple grounds was praying.
As a dragon, it was his duty to determine if a blessing was required. He yawned and walked out of the cave toward the temple.
A girl in a white dress with blue hair was kneeling at a statue of Fenroot. The dragon’s statue had its wings outstretched and its posture was regal as the dragon looked out over the temple grounds as if it were protecting them.
The girl looked fourteen or fifteen years of age, and she wore a gold necklace with wings that Scar recognized from a thousand years ago. At her feet was a puppy that looked like a wolf—it was brown with bright green eyes. It had a look that reminded Scar of wilderness, and it lay at her feet.
“Please accept a prayer from me and pass it on to Andor,” the girl said.
Scar rolled his eyes.
“I pray that dragons will listen to my prayer. I pray for world peace,” the girl said. “I pray that the aquifer is restored. But the reason I’m really here is to pray that the world doesn’t end.”
Scar didn’t expect the prayer to change directions. It seemed like they all followed a predictable pattern.
“If it’s true that dragons cannot save us, if it’s true that the aquifer is too low—I want to keep living. I want there to be more to life than living in fear. I will do my part to make sure of it. I pray that you will, too.”
Scar looked away as the girl looked up at Fenroot’s statue for a blessing. He hung his head.
“No dragon can grant you a blessing,” he said.
The girl looked up with misty eyes. “Why not?”
“Because the future is not certain even for us.”
“Then what should I pray for?” the girl asked.
“Pray for yourself.”
“I have been taught to be selfless.”
“So you are part of the Order, then. I knew I recognized your necklace. You came to pay old Scar some tribute, did you?”
The girl looked away.
“Who let you out of hiding?” Scar asked. Eagerness rose in his breast. “Was it the great lord?”
“I came out of my own free will,” the girl said. “He does not control me.”
“Then take a message back for me. Tell him he owes me an apology for leaving me here in charge of this place! I’ve got only scars for my loyalty!”
“What about a blessing?” the girl asked.
Her dog jumped to its feet and barked at Scar, and the dragon laughed defiantly.
“Your blessing is your fortitude, young one.”
The dragon turned to walk away.
“Why do you just turn away?” the girl asked. “Is all hope lost?”
But Scar ignored her.
“I will earn my blessing then,” she said. “And it won’t come from you. Or any dragon.”
“You dare wear the burdens of the world on your shoulders, girl?” Scar asked, turning back.
The girl’s face hardened. She commanded her dog to follow her and she turned around.
Scar returned to his cave and settled in the entrance. He watched the girl walk away, despondent. The puppy followed her, barking softly.
Scar thought about her prayer, about the state of the world, and determined it was all a terrible mess. Then he settled back into sleep, quickly forgetting the entire encounter.
ACT V
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