The Fall of Dragon Haven - A Dragonkeeper Fanfiction

Sowing The Seeds

The rains continued over Mang for four days. On the morning of the fifth day they inspected the water levels of the river. It was filling up, but they still had a long time to go before it was full.

We need to start filling it from upstream. Danzi concurred. They flew west for several hours until they came upon the sad sight of the dry riverbanks again. Danzi advised them to travel another hour upstream towards a port town he'd once travelled through. It was a hub for travelers and news would spread further west towards the new Han capital – Chang'an - where the wealthy could beg for rain. It was also on higher ground compared to the plateau surrounding Mang.

The port town came into sight soon enough, but it was a far cry from prosperous. The river was too dried up, and the locals and merchants who made their wares from the river looked scanty. His felt a knot form in his stomach. He wanted to help them – but he knew there would be little they could offer in return.

Once news spread through the port that the dragons had come, cheers were cried from the banks of the rivers and on moored boats. The cluster set to work locating clouds and expanding them with mist and steam. It was a much easier task now with three dragons, and after several hours rain poured down onto the surrounding hills and the port.

They dined that night on a spread of preserved fish. They spent the next two days at the Lord's home and traveled north on the first day, and south on the second day to bring rain inland. They traveled as far as they could except west towards the capital. He wanted the noble houses of the capital to meet them in Mang for rain.

They traveled back to Mang after several days. Yara had stayed with Mrs Zhu during this time and had worked up the confidence to sell her fabrics. She spoke with such faith that Anh was excited to hear how much she had sold.

Yara pursed her lips and looked off. "I've actually not sold anything yet." She admitted. Her loom was set up in Mrs Zhu's home, and the past few days she had shadowed Mrs Zhu during the lunch hour through the market to sell her creations. "But I'll keep trying. I think it's because I'm still learning the language."

Anh tried not to look disappointed. So far, they'd both made naught but extra food and shelter since coming to Mang. Anh was so sure the rains would bring them some cash eventually. He was also certain that Yara would be able to sell her fabrics soon enough.

"Maybe I can help tomorrow?" He offered. "I can translate for you?"

Yara's snuggled into his chest and kissed him. "That would be wonderful."

"Get a room." Lao muttered, squashed between Bong and Jiang as he dined uncomfortably on one of Mrs Zhu's jianbing.

Anh had never been to the market in Mang before. He hadn't expected it to be much bigger than Market Street in Tinkling Village. As it so happened, the Mang Market was colossal. It stretched half a kilometer through the city and beamed with bright colors, unusual sights, and smells that made Anh dizzy. He found himself staring down at his feet often, trying to get a grip of his surroundings.

Yara, on the other hand, meandered through the market as if she was born there herself. Her confidence fitting in and out of the spaces and her display of wares behind Mrs Zhu's cart attracted the attention of plenty of would-be customers. Sadly, that was what they would remain as – would-be customers. What Yara's confidence amounted to dissipated when they realized she couldn't speak Qi. Even with Anh's help translating, the buyers would leave the second they realized she was foreign.

By midday Yara's confidence was spent. She and Mrs Zhu settled their stall by the markets entrance. Mrs Zhu had some buyers for breakfast, and went about counting her cash. Yara's cheeks were red from the heat, but her eyes burned with determination. She set up her small loom by the entrance and began to frantically sew.