The smells of breakfast street foods filled the central city streets. Salt cured and fresh meat stands, bread, and ale merchants pulled their carts into the lanes. The gentle hum of greetings and pleasantries there were already being exchanged between customers walking the aisles getting an early peek at what was to be for sale. And venders greeted them happily as they set up their kiosks with, in addition to the food and drink, shiny decorative stones, jewelry, rugs, clothing, armor, other home goods, and weapons.
Each morning in Knot was similar. The market was a daily affair that lasted from morning til around supper time. Creatures from all over would visit throughout the day to do their daily errands.
Minerva the Dragonling, was born in Knot almost 7 years ago. To weaver Deysi the Dragonborn, and his halfling wife, the other half being human, called Alairia the Halfling. Alaira was a potter, and seamstress. And this morning she was at her station in the market, unloading freshly fired pots and water vessels, knapsacks, and bedding.
For Minerva and her family, the history of the relocation and assimilation seemed like old histories. For them Knot was an example. A symbol. A symbol of the pride and resilience of the dragonborn. Proof that even in confinement or restrictions, they represented an important place in the world.
Minerva is dragonling. So far, she thought, nothing special. She thought she resembled a lizard in body and face. One that walked on her hind legs, and disliked climbing trees. Though 7. She stands a rigid 9 feet tall. This will probably remain her height. Her body was covered in deep violet scales from head to toe. She was slimmer and in stature and more humanoid. Lizard. She was not pleased with her appearance.
In comparison to her mother and father, she felt an outcast very much. Her father Deysi stood an astonishing 17 feet tall, with scales of deep, shimmering bronze and a fire that could reach the heavens. When he took off from the ground his wings reached high and seemed to catch so much air on their decent, he lit off the ground like a feather and sored so high he had to come down many feet to wave goodbye.
Alairia being half dragonborn did not have wings but had a tail as long as any wingspan. While in her work room she could sit at her pottery wheel on one side of the room and poor her coffee with the tip of her tail at the other end. There had been many times where Minerva would be woken up by a gentle poke of her tail. She would groggily come to, and the tip of Alairia’s tail would be pointing her in the direction of the kitchen for morning breakfast.
Deysi was at the entrance of their stone apartment packing a knapsack of salt meat and bread for the journey he was about to take. He and Minerva were going to the bustling market town of Ligeen. Ligeen was about a 2 minute flight for Deysi typically, but today he was going to walk the path with his daughter.
The times they walked to Ligeen were always so enjoyable for Deysi, as he could point out native plants and insects and explain in grand detail their importances in the wood. Minerva also loved these walks. Her dads voice would sing above everything in his impassioned explanations of nature. She loved hearing his stories of childhood, and especially his tales of flight. And being so grand in stature, his steps were faintly felt in the earth. Deysi the Imposing and Graceful should have been his name. And would have been. 500 years ago.
Meeting him at the entrance of their home, they embarked on their journey. The air was crisp and cold. Having just had breakfast, she was full and ready to embark on the half days stroll. She was excited to see and smell all the things that Ligeen had to offer. It was a place very different from her village. Beings from all over the kingdom travelled there to do business. And that influence showed in the eclectic nature of the place.
For example, Knots business mostly took place on ground level. Although surrounded by mountain peaks, and even though not all the citizens of Knot could fly, most of the residences and homes were built into Knot’s mountainous border. In Ligeen, being an open area in a lush open forest, Homes and businesses were intermingled. Being so tall, Minerva loved getting a glimpse of home lives in Ligeen as well as the goods their respective households sold. How fascinating to see entire families of species that could fly, flying upstairs while doing their chores, and flying around their shops below. Flitting from customer to customer.
Heading out of their home and into the main thoroughfare, Minerva and Deysi spotted their usual space, Alairia’s kiosk, and gave her a quick hug before heading down the way and toward the entrance of Knot. At the entrance of the Valley stood one guard, who waved them through with a nod.
As soon as they’d taken a few steps out of Knot, the sky seemed to darken suddenly.
-Pa!? Screamed Minerva.
The darkness was complete. No sound could be heard.
-Min. I’m here. Deysi spoke low, but his voice didn’t carry.
There was no echo. No rustle between steps.
-Stay still, Min. Don’t move.
CLAP!
It was deafening. Minerva and Deysi both cried as the sound seemed to sting their ears. Burning.
-Min. I l-
Deysi’s words were cut short.
Minerva felt her body hit the ground in a soundless thud.
When light returned to Knot, bodies littered the streets. Vendors in the process of handing newly purchased goods to their customers were bent and laying over their displays. Goods broken or spilt on the ground. Their intended recipients also on the ground. Entire families lay on top of each other. Silence surrounded the valley and permeated through the surrounding forest.
Then a profound guttural scream filled the air.