Legend of the Diamond Valley

This magnificent ravine evokes the feeling of the Diamond Valley in its immensity and heavy layers of fog. Photo ©2014 by MaxPower0815 on flickr. In Diamond Valley a steep chasm stretches 1,000 feet deep. Filled with fog nearly to the brim, it evokes awe and reverent fear in all who peer over its edge. Villagers from the surrounding towns occasionally dare to approach the ravine, only to be met with the impenetrable mist that swirls from its depths. A rock thrown over the edge makes no sound as it falls without end. The swooping balance of the eagle's wings is the only sight visible within the swirling vapors. To the great birds alone belongs this ravine. They make their nests upon the cliff faces far above, in view of the visiting villagers. Their penetrating eyes remain ever watchful, piercing the fog, alert to shifts in air currents and sometimes to the movement of prey far below. On occasion, one of these magnificent kings of the air plunges into the depths. In moments or hours, depending on their whim, they'll resurface, clutching the remains of a rabbit or a fox. Clinging to the ravaged flesh of these small animals, opaque colorless stones sometimes catch the eyes of onlooking villagers. Not daring to spook the grand birds, they wait in hope that the bloody remains will slip from their grasp. When this happens, the villagers run to collect the unusual pebbles. Word reaches the king to the east that Diamond Valley holds treasure in the form of white crystals harder than any other substance on the earth. This prudent king dispatches ambassadors who arrive at the cliff's edge, only to travail at the impossibility of their task. Though they are the king's best climbers, their ropes will never reach the bottom, not even if they tie them end to end. They make an attempt to scale the cliff face anyway, just to see whether there might be crystals within reach of their ropes. Their attempts only prove the rumors they've heard, the crystals lie only at the bottom, attainable only through the implementation of a most gruesome method. As they coil their ropes at the top of the ravine, they ponder the bloody task that awaits them. First, they must negotiate with the villagers for a trio of sheep. Then, they must pay for the privilege of using the butcher's tools. Then, they must find a suitable field nearby for preparing the sheep. A nearby meadow opens itself to receive the blood of the docile animals, as the king's men strip off their skins and prepare large pieces of meat to toss over the edge of the cliff. Will this bizarre ritual prove effective for delivering the crystal stones to the king? The villagers promise it will work. Throwing caution to the wind, the men begin heaving hunks of gory sheep flesh over the edge of the ravine. They watch the eagles as the eagles watch them. After a few minutes, the eagle's catch the scent of blood and swoop down into the misty depths of the ravine. The men watch in silence, holding their breath. After nearly losing heart, their efforts are rewarded as several soaring eagles drop the gristle at the cliff's edge. Stuck to the gory mess are crystals of varying sizes. The men swiftly clean the stones and throw the bloody remains back over the edge, raising their hands in gratitude to the eagles before turning to take their bounty to the king, from whom they will receive their second reward in gold bullion. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews, Staff Writer