Orianna moved swiftly through her false hoard. Gold and gems meant very little to her, but the appearance of such wealth kept adventurers, and even some other dragons from getting to her inner most sanctum if she didn’t see them off herself.
She gently rubbed the pup’s back as she went, doing her best to sense further injuries without word.
“Those are both lovely names. Now where we’re going will be much comfier. I enjoy comfort and knowledge. Those things are my hoard. The pretty shiny things out here…they’re just to stop silly people from going further. But you’ll get to enjoy a lot of the things in my hoard, Benny. You and Wojtek.”
She very much meant it. While Benkai’l was under her care, they would be allowed to touch most of her things. A child needed to have their creature comforts and the necessities. Orianna knew she would need to acquire some specific things for Ben while they were in her care. Food and drink were among those things. She had spells for those things but Orianna was deeply aware that conjured food and drink was no substitute for the satisfaction of the real thing.
As they entered her inner sanctum, Orianna easily jumped large distances as though it meant nothing to her at all. She kept them moving, holding Ben tight until they reached an enormous platform at the back of the cave. The entirety of the cave was comparable to the halls of the dwarves. It easily accommodated Orianna and would even if she went on to become a Greatwyrm.
There were many books, scrolls, maps and more knowledges filled objects neatly organised around the cave. A library so great, it would be a tragedy of the ages if it were to be burned. All across the cave were comfortable chairs. There were entire piles of lovingly kept pillows and blankets. The cave smelled divine. There was a pool of drinking water and a spectacularly large hot spring where the dragon clearly bathed. It was enough to accommodate herself, a mate and any children or friends she might have.
The cave was homey. There was no questioning that the dragon hoarded comfort as well as knowledge. She would never go without and neither would anyone who lived alongside her.
“Now sweet pup, let’s get you and your teddy cleaned and healed. We’ll get you some more clothes and other things in the morning. And we’ll need to figure out where you’ll be able to safely stay and grow up well. If that’s with me, or elsewhere. Do you have any other family?”
Orianna gently put Ben and Wojtek down on a well cushioned lounge, sharp piercing eyes looking them over. With a snap of her fingers, pup and bear were clean. A gentle wave of her hand healed the pup of their aches, injuries and maladies. Another snap and Ben’s clothes and teddy bear were back to pristine condition. Mere parlour tricks for a dragon of Orianna’s stature.
Despite this, she still was not sure Benkai’l was best left with her. They were a humanoid and needed their own kind. She wasn’t even sure how she would do with children of her own kind at this moment in time.
Ben squirmed a little with a faint whine of discomfort as Orianna rubbed their back, the movements though gentle pulling at the injured and tender skin - even if the warmth of her palm soothed the hurt as fast as it came. Her voice dragged their attention away from the pain, ear flicking against her jaw as they listened. They didn’t understand all the words, they weren’t well versed in dragons after all, but her cadence kept them smiling. A few giggles did slip out when she mentioned ‘shiny things’ and ‘silly people’.
Despite their tiredness they couldn’t help but light up and almost smacked their head into her chin as they sat up in her arms, tail wagging furiously with happiness as they realised, she had understood theirs and their teddy’s names. The wolf-kin couldn’t help the fast-paced whines that slipped out as the joy bubbled in their tiny body and overwhelmed them, chest heaving as they struggled to get air in. As quickly as the moment came the dam broke and they started coughing again, collapsing against her collarbone as they trembled, saliva wetting the fabric of her clothing. Once they’d caught their breath, they nuzzled her shoulder and whimpered an apology. People didn’t always like when their feelings got too big and they acted out. Mama and Papa hadn’t minded of course, found it adorable. But they weren’t here anymore.
The toddler struggled to listen to Orianna, head starting to hurt a little, but managed to at least catch the last question. As she settled them on, a delightfully soft, piece of furniture, Benkai’l managed to shake their head.
“Lll-eft,” they answered sadly, “Mma-mma fin’ ‘eh-nny in… um…” They couldn’t remember how to say the word in Common so they clumsily signed ‘graveyard’ for the dragon, doing so instinctively and not really thinking if she would even understand. After all Mama and Papa knew Sign so it was just assumed sometimes that all adults would know the language.
They tilted their head as Orianna looked them over, brows furrowing with uncertainty. When she snapped her fingers they yipped in surprise, then shuddered as they felt a strange sensation wash over their body. They looked down and gasped when they realised the dirt and grime was gone from their skin, freckles visible once more.
As she waved her hand, they felt a little dizzy, swaying slightly, but then after a moment they felt even better than they had before. True the side effects of their exhaustion and hunger remained (the slight headache, itchy eyes, grumbling tummy), but the aches in their limbs and the cuts on their skin were all gone. They looked at their palm before turning their hand over and then back, marvelling at the pink and white lines that had been open wounds just moments before. Best of all their back felt much, much better. Yes, the skin felt a little tight with new scar tissue they weren’t used to, but it wasn’t sore and hot anymore.
They jumped again at the second snap, before their clothes fluttered against their skin and they quickly looked down again to see what she had done. A grin broke out on their face as they realised their pyjamas were pristine again. White and soft and free of rips and tears. They looked freshly washed. Just like when Mama had put them on her child. Not only that but Wojtek was also fixed. Yes, he was still worn and loved, but he was no longer damaged and singed.
Ben started giggling again, looking up at the dragon and clapping their hands together, bouncing in place. They had never seen magic like that. Some adventurers who came through the Smithy occasionally showed them pretty lights or made things float, but this was amazing. Their laughter petered out with a small wheeze, chest feeling a little tight but thanks to whatever healing the dragon had gifted them they managed to not delve into yet another coughing fit, lungs feelings as better as the rest of them. They didn’t want to annoy her with their weakness. The town teacher used to hit them when they coughed too much, which was often. When Mama found that out after a week she’d immediately pulled them out to ‘home school’ them.
