2022 Advent Challenge

Being deputy of one of the largest dragon tribes in Vallis was a demanding job, but River could not have asked for any higher honour. Chieftain Garnet hadn't said exactly why she thought River would be the right person. But now that she had the job, she was fully intending to do everything she could to serve the tribe – more than she already did, at least.

There was no set routine each day. Rather, she woke up with the sun and immediately checked to see what needed to be done. Often, mornings were quiet. Things got chaotic once the rest of the tribe woke up, as fifty-plus dragons sharing a territory guaranteed occasional disagreements, fights and other problems that needed a chief or deputy to resolve.

As autumn rolled into winter, the valley grew cold, and the snow that was normally only seen on the jagged mountaintops fell further and further down, covering the grass and trees in a layer of white. With December came a wave of cold that froze the ground solid and made the air itself feel stiff with ice.

Nonetheless, River woke up when she normally did and departed her cave, flapping her wings and stamping her feet to get the blood going. The valley showed no signs of life, and she briefly wondered if it was really necessary to get up this early. However, her sense of duty and craving for routine kicked in and she took off, intending to sweep the valley from above.

I wonder if I'll be able to visit Sovereign City for Christmas, she thought. Christmas wasn't really celebrated out here in the wilderness, although some members of the tribe knew and appreciated the custom. A few would temporarily leave the valley to spend time with friends or family elsewhere. River had friends in Sovereign, but was unsure if the chief would allow her to leave.

She wasn't bitter about it. Ultimately, her people came first. She might very well be their leader one day. It was a responsibility that she took seriously and she had never resented Garnet for bestowing it upon her.

Her breath clouded the air as she gently soared up and down, seeing nothing moving. It seemed that most of her tribemates were taking the sensible course of action and staying at home until the freezing early morning temperatures eased.

...Except... one?

River slowed down as she spotted something dark perched on a low cliff: a dragon chewing on a flame-roasted deer. Upon closer inspection, she recognised it as Havoc.

A renowned flirt who could hardly keep his eyes off the female dragons, Havoc was usually perceived as irritating but harmless. He never touched anyone without permission, but made no effort to rein in his suggestive remarks and lewd glances. However, River also knew him to be observant, attentive, and more shy than his outward behaviour implied.

Seeing nobody else in the vicinity, she flew down to join him on the cliff.

'Ah, deputy,' he greeted her, his face showing a moment's surprise. 'I knew you woke up early, but I didn't know it was this early.'

'I like to make sure everyone's OK,' said River nonchalantly. 'And if everyone else is asleep, then who will do it? But you're up early too, Havoc.'

'Mmm...'

'In fact...' River glanced at the half-eaten deer. 'You've probably been up longer than me, if you had time to catch that.'

Havoc's jaws parted for a moment, then snapped shut. 'Everybody is getting smarter.'

'Is everything OK, Havoc? I know you don't normally wake up this early.'

The black dragon shifted his weight and averted his gaze. Recognising the signs of imminent denial, River added:

'You can tell me anything. It will stay between us, and maybe I can even help you.'

'I, ah... I may have had some unsettling experiences last night. Dreams. That is all.'

Her instincts twitched, telling her to press him further. 'Oh? Dreams about what?'

Havoc shuffled his front paws next to the deer. 'Ah... um... Well, it's really nothing important; in fact it's a bit silly... But I dreamed that I was old and alone. I had a nice big cave with a hoard of glittery treasure in the back, but it was cold and dark. I had no partner or children.'

It was a little-known secret that, beneath all of his shallow-minded flirting, all Havoc really wanted was love. He craved the kind of fairytale romance that spanned lifetimes. His desperation to find the right person led him to approach women too much and too hard, frantically hoping that just one might give him a fair chance, only to be scorned for his pushiness.

Havoc's behaviour was well-known. His true reasons for it, less so. And his deep-seated fear of never finding anyone? Hardly known at all.

Choosing her words carefully, River replied: 'That's not silly. Most people don't like the thought of being alone. When you're old, you want to have a family to care for. A legacy to live on after you die. There's nothing wrong with wanting that.'

Havoc looked torn between embarrassment and relief. 'Well... yes, I am scared of being alone forever. I just want to find my partner. What if I've already missed them?'

'Havoc,' said River, 'there's no such thing as one perfect person. Most of us will have more than one relationship during our lives. It takes time and experience to make a happy, lasting relationship. And you're definitely not running out of time to find someone.'

The last sentence was spoken in a dry tone, for their species lived well over a hundred years and Havoc was only in his twenties. If anyone had time, he did.

'I know, I know,' he sighed. 'I'm worrying over nothing.'

'It's not nothing if it's important to you. Just try not to panic so much, alright? I promise that one day you'll find someone great and have a happy life with them. Just be yourself, and be patient.'

Havoc gave her a small, hesitant smile. River knew that, if his personality wasn't so driven and desperate, he would probably have more luck with finding mates. He was a handsome dragon, tall and lean with large wings and dazzling purple eyes. Even River, who didn't view relationships as a priority in her life, occasionally found herself admiring his looks.

'Thank you, deputy,' he said. 'I feel more at ease now.'

He tore off one of the deer's legs and pushed it towards her in a wordless gesture of respect, before continuing to eat. Accepting his gesture, River settled down beside him to participate in a little pre-breakfast snack.

The valley might be freezing, but their hearts were warm.