The Order
Between a dark shadowed alleyway, an unsuspecting hidden door creaked open. A red dragon’s head peeked outside the door, listening for any movement. After several moments, the red dragon extended his head farther, listening. The red dragon then pushed the door the rest of the way open and climbed out of the secret passage and into the alleyway, closing the hidden door behind him.
Again, the small red dragon glanced back and forth, looking at the streetlamp ensuring he remained alone.
“You’re a clumsy dragon, aren’t you?” A voice growled from the shadows.
The red dragon leaped into the air. He flipped around to face the direction of the voice with a growl, not knowing who stood behind him. “Who trespasses here, I will slice you open—”
“You have nothing to worry about, fair traveler. I am a friend.” The deep voice in the shadows chuckled. A larger dragon, cloaked in a thick robe and hood, stepped out of the deep shadows, holding its scaly hand out forming a sign.
The red dragon made an instant recognition, relaxed, made a return hand gesture, and replied. “My allegiance is to the Order.”
“Until death.”
The red dragon crawled in closer to the cloaked dragon. “My apologies, my grace. Why are you here? Do you have a message?”
“I have sensed humans traveling into the valley, and have since confirmed it. More than usual this time. Without the proper protective protocols in place, I fear they may observe more than can be allowed. I must issue an elimination order.”
The red dragon nodded, understanding the serious nature of the request. “I understand. How many?”
“Seven.”
“What?! Seven?” the red dragon said in surprise. “That will raise too many questions! Are you sure that’s necessary? We should confirm a request like this with the council. We must follow—”
“I am the council! In this situation, I’ve been delegated the power to make the call,” the cloaked dragon said, handing a folded document to the red dragon.
The red dragon acted shocked and nervous. He reached out, accepted the piece of paper, unfolded it, and read it to himself. “Are you sure you want me to fulfill this order? My specialties lie in—”
“Time is against us. You’re not a resident of Eknor. It will be easier to hide. The valley itself may accomplish the task on its own, but you must ensure no humans return. I will coordinate our efforts to report the incident as a natural accident.”
“I understand my grace. I will follow through.” The red dragon folded the paper back together and stowed it away.
“If you require help, you can call upon our good friend, Paha Attu. He is required to follow your commands, and he has already been summoned.”
“Yes, I understand.” The red dragon gulped.
“Power to the order.”
“Power to the order.”
The red dragon turned, and once again, looked around the streetways, and opened the door from which he came. He turned one last time and nodded to the cloaked dragon.
In a light voice, the cloaked dragon said, “While you’re down there, give my salutations to Paha Attu. It’s been ages since I’ve seen that old worm.” With a light chuckled, the cloaked dragon disappeared into the darkness. The red dragon stared back into the deep dark tunnel, took a deep breath, and vanished into the darkness.