The one thing the dragon coveted in their entire hoard was not the gold, the gemstones, or the fine tapestries. It was a plain, wooden, statue given to them when they were but a hatchling. If someone came, respectfully, asking for aid, they did not mind sharing the rest, but don't anyone dare touch that one precious item. -- Anon Guest
A Dragon's Hoard is not what the legends keep saying it is. More often than not, they are things the Dragon finds worthy of treasuring. The gold and gems are more of a personal hygiene treatment. Gems to scratch out any parasites, and gold to smother any that the gems missed.
As for why they guard it so jealously... imagine some small creatures invaded your home and attempted to kill you for your bespoke body wash. You'd be ticked about that too.
More than one Dragon is prepared to surrender some of their "body wash" to those who visit in need. They roast those who come in greed. And to a rare few who visit, they allow to tour the true hoard. Those precious treasures are not things mere mortals might value, and are unique to the Dragon.
Reanna had come to beg for gold to help feed her village. The Dragon Sparcklaw had handed her a sack and bade her fill it to her limit to carry it. Now she was lost in the Dragon-sized tunnels, looking to thank her benefactor. She stumbled into the True Hoard. One unlike any other that the stories told of.
This Sparcklaw had a true hoard chamber like any other. Big enough for a Dragon to roam through, turn around, and curate their collection. Except... the niches and pedestals were few and far between. The place of honour, under the best light, was a carved wooden figure of a knight.
Reanna knew enough to keep her hands well away from it, but curiosity made her look closer.
It had been painted once. Fragments of bright colours remained in small patches of it. It had been scorched, and a hatchling Dragon had teethed on its arms at many times in its history. Hatchling Dragon scales had abraded paths around its body. As if the baby was curling around it repeatedly.
The most interesting thing about this toy knight was that its hands were carved to remain open. It had never held a weapon and never would.
Someone had carved this with care and attention to detail. Made it for a hatchling Dragon... who had loved it nearly to bits.
The hot breath on her back warned her to back away.
"I was looking for you," said Reanna. "And then looking at this. Very carefully."
"Thank you," rumbled Sparcklaw. "Many have disrespected that piece, and died for their arrogance."
Clarity of insight made Reanna blurt, "It was your first treasure. A gift of kindness and nurturing. From someone who loved you."
"Well observed. You are smarter than many who come to my lair. If you return with a gift, I shall add it to this hoard in memory of you."
"I will consider that," said Reanna. "Thank you. And thank you twice." By Sparcklaw's leave, she returned to her village with what she would carry.
Many who enter a Dragon's true hoard are not so lucky.
[Photo by Lidia Nemiroff on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [107 remaining prompts!]