She wasn’t quite prepared for that kind of question. Who would be given the context of where they were and what they were doing?
“I am… probably the least able to answer that on behalf of my people,” she admitted, her eyes downcast.
“I know dear,” Bel said in her most comforting tone. How that simple phrase could make Kitalia feel a small spot of warmth and relief, she couldn’t fathom, but Bel just had that way about her. “Just tell me what you can, and we’ll work together to fill in the rest.”
Kitalia nodded. “The Ylveryan are various and spread across many tribes. The one thing they all have in common though is a sense of spirituality. Most of the tribes are focused on nature, or at least elements thereof. There is a strong belief that the natural spirits of our world are there to guide us and lead us, and that it is our duty to protect them from the savages that would use them for their own selfish reasons.”
There wasn’t a response, but Kitalia wasn’t really expecting one. Bel just sat there looking regal and serene, waiting patiently for Kitalia to continue. Instead of doing so, the Ylveryan girl spent several minutes cleaning up the remnants of dinner. Once everything was cleaned to her satisfaction and put away in its proper place, she sat back in her spot and settled herself.
“That was likely the reason for the war,” she finally added. “The Tehynshins were taking advantage of the land, abusing it, and stealing from it for their own purposes. Their buildings alone are a testament to that, but it was clear that our two societies could not live in harmony.”
“That is a most popular reason for why the war began between your people, but I can promise you that it is not the main one,” Bel added. Kitalia wanted very much to ask her to elaborate on that last bit, but she knew that Bel wouldn’t do so. She’d just add it on as one more of the mysteries that she would have to live without knowing. “Tell me more of Ylveryan spirituality.”
Kitalia shook her head, ignoring Bel’s request for the moment, “It does not matter if you think the reason is right or not… the war happened, and many lives were lost on both sides.” She looked up then and glared at the dragon with eyes that were starting to turn red from the strain of holding back tears. “The spirits of the land empowered the Ylveryan, but once you dragons took to the field with your bonded Tehynshins, they retreated, not daring to face off against you. This left us almost completely at the mercy of those who would see us all killed for the sake of their own expansion.”
“You weave a tale as well as any seamstress,” Bel said with her wry smile. “There are some facts missing, but by and by, it is good enough for our purposes today.”
“I find myself a bit too tired to continue this conversation,” Kitalia snapped. She no longer cared for the dragon’s opinions on such an emotional topic. She shifted her pack roughly and laid down with her head facing away from the lady dragon.
Bel sighed, and even that sound seemed stately and charming despite Kitalia’s mood. “We can discuss it later, when you are ready once again.” She ran her hands along the already perfectly smoothed dress and called out softly, “Rest child. I shall watch over the night.”