Fourteen Penav, the seventh of year 526
We reached the ascent of the mountain just as the sun slipped beyond the range of sight. None of the dragons have yet been sighted. The Kajada council had suggested that they would be aggressive and territorial, but I suspect that the creatures are aware of our approach and are hiding, possibly watching our movements. The fires have been made large and bright as a precaution.
On the morrow, three of us will continue the expedition down the mountain side, three will explore the ridge, and three will remain at the camp. Em’tach, S’heva, and myself are of the party to descend. I am to be on the second watch.
-Mij'hii
Seventeen Penav, the seventh of year 526
We have been tracking one of the dragons for the last day but lost its trail. This side of the mountain range gives way to a sandy desert despite the lush forest just to the other side. We will likely have to go back up the mountain soon. We passed a narrow mountain stream on the way down but there is no water where we have made camp.
Perhaps the dragons are cunning, they lure us from the water and foliage of the mountain, tempting us to the dry, barrenness up ahead. I but speculate, we are as yet in no danger from the elements.
-Mij'hii
Eighteen Penav, the seventh of year 526
In the dark of the morning, we again spotted one of the dragons. Quietly packing camp, we preceded to follow it on foot until midday when the creature showed that it knew we were following. I think that it was just trying to warn us not to follow it, not hurt us. It spread it’s wings wide, arched it’s back, and hissed. It then leaped up, extending its wings and flew straight at the party before pulling up sharply. It flew in circles over our head and the out of sight behind us.
After a brief discussion, we decided to continue in the direction we had been going for another hour or so, just to see if the terrain changed. This proved to be an intriguing choice. Within half of the designated time we could make out the edge of a village. We paused for another consultation. Despite the little amount of time we had spent exploring, we had come to expect empty sand landscapes, not people. We were even more astonished as we approached to see dozens of the dragons walking and flying around the stone like huts. As we were able to catch sight of the natives, they seemed perfectly content and safe with the reptiles, interacting with them, some even riding on the human’s shoulders.
The people themselves were curiosities to see. Their skin a much lighter brown than our own, their hair curled, but also much looser than ours. I saw a few people with hair as black as ours could be but more tended toward medium to dark brown. Their ears also were quite curious, at least an inch shorter than ours but still coming to a long point. Their clothing of a soft woven fabric dyed in muted colors, but their shoes appeared to be made of the shed reptile skin somehow.
The dragons had a variety of colors. Various shades of greens, reds, blues, and greys from brilliant to muted. As we made our way into the village itself, they could be seen everywhere. Perched on buildings, playing with children, following adults, everywhere. The cohabitation seemed complete.
Though we could not understand their language, the people provided us with food—seasoned with peculiar spices but quite good—and a place to sleep. We determined to remain one more day and night before returning with the intelligence to our fellow explorers.
-Mij'hii
Nineteen Penav, the seventh of year 526
We have yet to leave the village but plan to at first light. The natives hosted a celebration that we were invited to participate in. Em’tach wished to believe that it was in our honor, but the precision of the ceremony leads me to believe that it was a preestablished custom that we merely happened upon.
Several children and even smaller dragons were separated into their own group and listened to speeches by a few adults while pairs of other adults, presumably the parents, prepared portions of a feast. I could not quite understand the dragons roles, but a few remained with the humans giving speeches and the rest also wandered the village in pairs, somehow assisting with the preparations. We three hung to the side, trying to stay out of the way. After a few hours, the parents and villagers positioned themselves on one side of a string of small fires and the children on the other. The children performed a series of what sounded like recitations for some time before everyone came together for the meal. When the meal was ended, with several hours before the sun would set, the group of children, dragons, and the adults who had spoken to them set off toward the northeast. Darkness has since enshrouded the land with no sign of the wanderers or seeming expectation on the part of those remaining. Perhaps they were making their way on a journey, some sort of Rite of Passage for the young ones. I wonder if I will ever know what the ritual was for.
-Mij'hii
Twenty Penav, the seventh of year 526
Early in the morning, Em’tach, S’heva, and I packed our things and made to return to camp. The villagers fed us a delicious breakfast and watched us off. They gave us each a pair of the curious, reptile skin shoes as parting gifts. A few of the younger dragons followed us out a little way but turned back before we were out of sight of the village.
I wonder how the people of this land have gained the trust of the dragons. How do they train them? They seem to work together with a sense of comradery, not the relationship of a dumb animal with its master. Perhaps, when the expedition is over I will be allowed to return and learn from them—their language, way of life, and their relationship with the dragons.
-Mij'hii
Translated into Ìllarian and English by Elìa Nàela and T’halna of Clan Ija
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