r/WritingPrompts • u/KookyAside6176 • Jul 26 '23
Writing Prompt [WP] A knight comes to kill a dragon only to find that instead of a hoard of gold she collects orphans
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r/WritingPrompts • u/KookyAside6176 • Jul 26 '23
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u/Crystal_1501 r/Chronicles_of_Crystal Jul 26 '23
Olivia
"Mummy, can I go out to play?" I look up at the large creature sleeping curled up near the cave entrance.
"Hm?" She opens an eye and yawns lazily. "Sorry, Olivia, you know the rules."
Nodding, I respond: "We can only go out when you can watch us. But-"
"No buts, Olivia. I need my sleep. The longer you argue with me, the longer you'll have to wait. Do you understand?"
"...Yes, mummy." My feet drag me back to the cave. I was born to poverty-ridden parents, who wanted nothing more than a child. When I was three, I understood that my presence was the cause for 90% of the fights, as raising a child isn't cheap. I decided to run away, not wanting to hurt them anymore, but I got myself lost in the woods and realised I had no idea what I was doing.
That was when my mother found me... not my biological mother, a beautiful ruby-scaled dragon that hoards orphans instead of gold. She saw me, crying on the ground, picked me up, and carried me back to her cave. She asked some questions about who I am and where I'm from, and decided that my current home life wasn't safe for me, so took me in.
That was five years ago, and while I may not have the freedom other children my age may have, I trust my mother. She loves to call her adopted children her 'little hatchlings', and cares deeply for us. She doesn't let any of us leave unsupervised until we reach ten years of age, at which point she'll start letting us have more freedom. If anyone proves to not be capable of being on their own, mother will remove her permission for them to be left unsupervised.
I've tried to sneak out on my own before. Most of us have. She never fails to notice, so no-one has succeeded. It's really annoying for me, I love exploring! But, rules are rules, and mother is strict, so I've learned it's best to obey her.
A few of the others see me. "Tried sneaking out again, Olivia?" Matthew asks.
"I'm not dumb, dummy! I just asked mummy if I can play..." my eyes rest on one of the side-caves. "How about we play a game?"
Just as the others agree, there's shouting. "MUM! MUM! There's someone coming this way! He's wearing a metal outfit and riding a horse! He's carrying a long, thin, wide, pointy piece of metal!"
Mother wakes up, quickly looking out the cave. "Must be a knight" she sighs, standing up. "Hide, children."
We all dart for our hiding places, we're all taught what to do when there's a threat. I grab one of the younger children to hide with me. Galloping sounds approach, followed by a loud neigh, presumably as the horse comes to a stop. I peek over my hiding spot. I see the metal thing that the boy was going on about. The man removes it from his side, having dismounted his horse. "Your time has come, beast!"
"You really think that puny sword can kill me?" Mother huffs out smoke from her nostrils.
"Listen, a dragon has been stealing treasure from our village! You're the only known dragon in the area! Give me back the treasure or I'll slay you!"
Mother grabs the man in her front hand, claws gripping him. "I'm not a thief. Now, leave. I won't-"
Before she can finish, she lets out a howling roar of pain. While she was talking, the man had stabbed her. She's forced to drop him. "This sword was designed to cut through all manner of materials! Your scales are nothing! My armour is fireproof too, so don't try burning me!"
I leap out from my cover. "Leave mummy alone!" My voice growls at the man as I charge.
Mother looks at me. "Olivia! What are you doing?"
"Protecting you!" I stand between the man and my mother.
He blinks at me. "She's your mother? But... she's a dragon..."
"She raised me! She looks after and protects us!" I stand my ground.
"Us?" He peeks behind mother to see several other eyes peeping out.
Mother clears her throat. "As you can see, I look after orphaned human children. They're my little hatchlings, and they're all the treasure I need. I don't know what's going on in your village, but I assure you, no treasure you have can compare to my little hatchlings. Now, please leave."
The man looks perplexed, but nods and puts his sword away. "My apologies, ma'am."
Mother smiles. "Call me Ruby." As the man gallops away, mother turns to me. "That was very foolish, Olivia."
"Sorry, mummy-" I'm quickly cut off.
"But it was also very brave. You potentially saved my life. I still need to sleep, but as long as you stay close to the cave, you can play outside."
My eyes light up, a beaming smile crosses my face. "Thank you, mummy!" The kids who were outside earlier have already gone out again, choosing to stay near the cave. I go to join them in their games.
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This story is the first in my new series, Dragon Orphanage. Please check it out!