A Kings Ransom

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it! And to those who don’t, I hope you had an awesome week regardless.

This months prompt was: The world’s tiniest dragon must defend his hoard, a single gold coin, from those who would steal it. I’m actually really happy with the way it turned out, so I hope you all like it too!



He had picked a beautiful place to rest, diving towards the city square as the sun started to rise. The huge water fountain looked even more stunning the closer he got. Marble cherubs were tipping water over a golden crowned man. The water streaming off his body and into overflowing cups held up by much smaller human figures, scrambling over each other.

He didn’t understand the meaning behind it, nor the symbolism it so proudly displayed. No, all he cared for was the water that collected at the fountain's base. The same tinge of blue as the scales that ran down his back. It would offer protection from the much larger dragons that flew through the day, and that would cause him harm.

A sigh of relief passed his lips as the cool water caressed his scales, and he did a few quick spins to wash fully before darting to the center column and curling up at its base.

He would be safe here, of that he was certain.

A sudden plop awoke from his slumber. Head beating fast as his eyes darted around the fountain, searching for the threat that had uncovered his hiding spot.

He stopped when his eyes rested on a shiny copper coin. Surely no one knew he was here, yet still he was gifted an offering for peace? No one had ever seen him before, let alone found him scary enough to make offerings to.

He jumped as another copper coin broke the water’s surface. Scales flaring up slightly as a whiff of flame began curling in his throat.

“What did you wish for Mikeal?” A human voice asked above him. The dragon raised his head to see an elderly lady, a hand wrapped around a much smaller child's one. The other gathered in her skirts, keeping them away from the waters edge.

“I can’t tell you, then it won’t be true.” The small child tore his hand free from his guardians, moving closer so his chubby fingers could churn the fountains crystal waters. He recognised the finery of the clothes that adorned the child, a dragon could always sense such things. He was tempted for half a moment to grab a shred of fabric as it dropped beneath the water's surface, but the moment passed. The boy's guardian grabbing his arm once more to pull him away.

He realised what this was as another coin sunk through the water. A wishing fountain. His guardian had told him of these. How the humans believed the gods would grant them wishes in return for the offerings of coins, but this was the first he’d ever found. The other bodies of water that had concealed himself within were mostly ignored by human folk. Even the other fountains he’d passed by. He had grown to believe that his nest guardian had simply been telling a falsehood, meant to trick him into settling somewhere less than what he deserved. 

He settled back down to sleep, at first waking with every new wish, but he soon grew accustomed to it, until only his ears twitched with each new copper coin. His eyes half opened as a ‘plonk’ changed the plop he was so used to hearing, opening his eyes to watch a silver piece sink down to the bottom. Glancing up, he saw a young lady muttering fervently, a hand over her stomach and eyes squeezed closed.

Prayers he knew about, but he was unaware that humans also had to make a sacrifice. He was under the impression that prayers only cost them a small portion of their time. Perhaps the customs of this land were different, these gods demanding more from their believers. 

A sigh left his throat, a small bubble rising to the surface as he settled down once again. Ears twitching at every ‘plop’, eyes half opening at every ‘plonk’; making sure his hiding space was still safe.

He shot up at a splosh, teeth bared and searching for the threat which had uncovered his hiding spot, preparing to strike fast before making yet another speedy getaway. Flee for his life again.

He froze when the sun glinted off a shiny golden coin, already settled at the bottom of the fountain. 

He had never seen anything so beautiful. He had only ever seen golden coins in his nest guardians hoard, and even then only from afar. It was far too dangerous to ever think of stepping closer.

But now, there was one right before him. Within reach of his tingly talons. With very little effort on his behalf, no carriages to rob, counting houses to invade. No purse strings to cut nor nobles to befuddle. 

His eyes drifted upwards, scanning the huge crowds that wandered past, only a few were paying enough attention to toss a coin in the well. The finely dressed man who he could only presume had thrown the golden coin was already leaving, becoming lost in the crowds.

The young dragon glanced back at the gold coin. His talon’s itched to touch it, bask in the glorious golden glow.

He darted out before he could stop himself, Front talon’s grasping the edges and starting to lift it. The golden coin slipped from his grasp, sending him backwards. It was much heavier than he’d imagined it would be. 

He glanced upwards making sure no one was close enough to see him, no human eyes trained upon his treasure. Satisfied he was still safe, he began moving the coin, inching it closer and closer towards his hiding spot. 

He breathed a sigh of relief when he finally managed to get a good grip on the coin. Wings unfolding so he could slip through the water, moving quickly back to safety with his prize. 

The golden coin was still warm, but no longer bathed in sunlight. It radiated the heat of real treasure, carried from warmth to warmth until it became his.

He curled up on top of the coin. Wings tucked into his body, head nestled across his front paws, and tail wrapped around it all. He barely covered all the coin, but he didn’t care.

He finally had a treasure of his own, and its warmth belonged to him now. 

After that, no further coins could wake him from his slumber. The plops and plonks just background noises that danced in the background of his gold inspired dream. More coins added to the small mountain of gems he had been bestowed with by those seeking his favour.

It was a bright light that awoke him next. Instantly leaping awake, talons closing around the coin and a hiss passing through bared teeth at whomever was coming for his treasure.

“Think the king will be impressed with today’s gatherings?” A voice spoke from behind a light, the small dragon unable to make out any features thanks to the unnaturally bright light.

“I do not think our young King knows the meaning of the word impressed, much less be able to feel it.” He could see the guard that made such a scathing remark, a tall man, covered in glistening silver armour that danced with the flames of the torch. He was standing beside an even larger brown stallion, one hand on the reigns, and the other on the hilt of his sword.

The dragon started dragging his coin out of the light as a hand swooped into the water and collected a small pile of coins. The fire light flickering to normal as the water was disturbed. He would hide, wait for the humans to pass, and then take his coin and find a new hiding spot. Somewhere deep within a body of water separating two lands. He would need a good place to keep the hoard he hoped to grow.

He froze as the hand did, there was no way the human could have seen him. Not with the water so disturbed by the human collecting all the coins.

“What is it?” The guard stepped closer, drawing his sword slightly.

“Nothing, I just thought I-” The man shook his head, turning back to the task as he was interrupted. 

“You are not paid to think, just to collect coins from that murky peasant water.” The guard stepped back again, confident his own eyes hadn’t see whatever it was the man elbow deep in water had.

“Perhaps if you were to help?” A glance over his shoulder at the guard as he shook his hand to remove excess water from the coins before they were dropped into a cloth bag. 

“Help? I am a member of the royal guard. That menial chore is beneath us. It is why we have you slaves to do it for us. Heaven knows what horrible things peasants have infected that water with.” The man turned back to the fountain before rolling his eyes, picking up another scoop of coins.

The young dragon timed each careful shuffle with the man's molten eyes closing, focused on the huge threat above him. The young man that would no doubt come for his golden treasure if he spotted it. 

“Just guarding you is chore enough, that so-called king cares so much about every copper coin that he assigns his own household guard to watch over each and every single one of you filthy convicts to make sure you don’t pocket anything.” The guard continued to mutter, eyes watching every movement of the man’s arm in and out of the water, making sure all coins were shaken and deposited.

“I was informed that all these coins are donated to the church of the holy mother. The king has us collect the coins so that the priests do not have to spend time they could be studying and teaching out collecting tithes.” The man responded, leaning closer to the water to grab the coins closer towards the center. He was close enough that the dragon could make out the light freckles that dotted across the mans otherwise tanned nose.

“Pfft, a tale told so the peasants believe the king is a kind ruler, he keeps all the coins for himself.” Panic and dread filled the tiny dragon as the man's face loomed right above him, he was able to see each strand of honey brown hair.

“If that is so, surely he would not mind missing one.” He curled himself low to the coin, preparing to fight as the human above him winked. He had no idea what that could possibly mean, but he would not let his coin go without a battle to the death.

“Why stop at just one?” The man pulled his arm back and stood abruptly at the guard's response.

“So it is you. I knew one of the guards were stealing from the church’s fountain donation.” The guard tightened his hand around his sword, taking a step closer.

“Who do you think you are slave? Go back to work!” 

“I think not. I think you shall pick up all the remaining coins, lest someone else finds out of your little scheme.” The golden eyed man picked up a cloth, drying out his hands and taking a step away from the fountain. The small dragon saw his opportunity, taking the coin and darting to the right, under the cover of a stream of water. It was too dangerous to try fly out now, but the second the humans left he would be in the sky.

“Me? Touch that filth. Who do you think you are? It will be my word, a guard of the royal household, against yours, a convict forced to work for the castle to pay for your sins.” The guard took another step closer. “So I suggest you get back to work, before I force you too.” The golden eyed man chuckled, a shake of his head as he put the cloth down.

“You’ll have to force me to.” The silver armoured man immediately dropped the horse's reins, charging at the golden eyed man, who seemed to be expecting the action. Immediately sidestepping the charge and pushing the man into the fountain, to exactly where the tiny dragon was hiding. Instinctively the little dragon bit the man on the nose, grabbing his treasure and zooming around to the other side of the fountain. He cared little for the roar of pain his actions caused, nor for the loud laughter from the other man.

“Michael!” A dozen armed men stepped forth from the shadows, a light suddenly bursting forth from the torches they all held. Startling the tiny dragon, he was screwed. There was no escape from this one, they had him surrounded. They would steal his coin from his talons and kill him for daring to step foot in the country,

“Your majesty.” A different guard spoke, bowing his head before stepping close enough to haul the silver plated man from the fountain.

“Your majesty?” He echoed, trying to lift a hand to stem the bleeding from all the tiny puncture marks in his nose.

“The man you’ve been calling a convict, and a slave, and... what else was there again my king?” The silver breasted man fell to his knees, words streaming past his lips in a manner far to fast for the poor dragon to keep up with.

“Get him out of here.” The other guards all quickly moved to lift the silver man to his feet, hauling him out of the courtyard. No one paying any attention to the cries and pleads for mercy falling from his lips.

“I know you’re in there.” The tiny dragon jumped as draconic fell from the golden eyed man. His voice deepening to the slight growl required. “I mean you no harm. Would you please show yourself?” The tiny dragon shook his head, it was too dangerous. He knew what humans did to his kind, even those large enough to terrorise countries. There was no hope he would survive.

“Sire? Will we be returning to the castle? Another team is waiting for us to leave before they come in to empty the fountain for the church.”

“No thank you, I’ll finish this one myself.” The guard bowed his head, stepping back with three others to await their master by the horse, keeping an eye out for any threats to their King. “I have yet to see one of your kind, but my mother adores you all. She often travels to other kingdoms to meet those that have made a peace deal with their nobility. I always wanted to join her, but all the advisors claimed it was too dangerous for the crown’s heir.”

The tiny dragon stayed huddled over the coin, eyes darting this way and that as the King slowly lifted each and every coin out of the fountain. He never stopped speaking as he did so, his deep draconic voice was somewhat calming, and the words he spoke only made the tiny dragon more and more curious.

“Ah, there you are.” He froze, swivelling around to see the Kings head resting on the marble fountain, golden eyes focused on him. “My goodness you are stunning, the stories my mother spins would never do you justice.” The human man made no move towards him, just folding beneath his chin. “I mean you no harm little one. If anything I would like to help you.”

A finger reached towards the water, but stopped as the tiny dragon lifted himself up, preparing to attack. “With your size you must be young. Freshly chased from the nest. My palace is warm, full of all sorts of treasure you could claim as your own. All I would ask in return is your trust and friendship.” This time he did extend his hand into the water, holding it out in front of the dragon.

“I will not force this upon you, it is your choice. The gold is yours to keep regardless.” The tiny dragon lifted his head to rest against the man's fingertip, using the simplest of magicks he had mastered to sense the man's true motives. Within the man's heart and soul he saw no true malice, he had a heart as warm as his eyes, and meant every word he spoke. Another true treasure he would claim as his own.

He tightened his talons around the coin, flexing his wings before taking off, straight out of the water and towards the man's neck. He could feel the rumble of each breath as he curled up beneath the king's ear, gold still tightly gripped in his talons.

“Do you have a name little one?” He shook his head, he was too young to speak, but he knew it was a gesture the human would understand. 

“I think I’ll call you Moshe.” 

I hear you crying sometimes when you think no one is listening.

Heya Everyone.

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Life kinda exploded for a bit, and thanks to some dear friends, I am back, hopefully permanently. The plan is to start with one a month, around the third of each. Then as I get back into the swing of things, I’ll try and slowly get back to once a week.

To be perfectly honest with you all. I stopped writing a long time before I stopped posting each week. I discovered a few months later that my medication was inhibiting my creativeness. It worked to stop my depression, but it also stopped all other feelings as well. I have now switched medication, and slowly but surely, the urge and ideas to write are returning.

My illness has also gotten both worse and better. A few months ago I was hospitalized, before being released into my families care. I have finally bounced back from that, and have even more coping strategies to try stop that happening again.

Also, as of the first few days of December last year, I am no longer a single pringle. I cannot find the words to describe how amazing and supportive my boyfriend is. He’s been there through all the ups and downs of the last few months, and he’s one of the five people helping me get back into the swing of writing things again.

And finally, I have once again left the family home. The last few months have been a chaotic mess of trying to find a place while balancing illnesses and other commitments, but we did it! And I’m feeling better than I have in a long time.

None of that truly excuses my abrupt disappearance, and I do know that. I never wanted this, any of it. I started this blog with the intent to write and post every week. I want that again, I just need to be more realistic about it this time. What restraints I already face, and the realistic side of just how ill I am. Please bear with me.

To our standard thing. This month’s prompt was I hear you crying sometimes, when you think no one is listening. I did have a really clever idea for this, but as a really clever writer, I started it on a pad of paper. Which I managed to misplace in the last few days before I could borrow a computer to type it up on. (Oh yes! I also managed to smash my laptop at the end of last year, extra skill points). So... hopefully, I’ll find that sometime soon, and add it as an additional post.

She was supposed to be the strong one, the fierce and fearless leader who never stepped a foot out of place. Someone who was affected by nothing. It was a cloak she wore around herself, a shield used to keep her safe from all that would dare try prove otherwise.

It wasn’t until late at night that she allowed her shield to fall. When all those that counted upon her had left for places and nightmares of their own. When the words she had and the strength she held could protect those she held dear no more.

That is when the terrors of the day could be held at bay no longer. When that which she had stood so strongly before mere hours earlier, now reduced her to tears. The fears that she had dared not allow herself to feel crashed over her. A tsunami her walls could no longer hold back.

It was her secret, her burden to bear. Evidence hidden behind creams and powders during the day. She would never allow anyone to see what she hid behind her walls, just how much of a toll it took on her to defend them all, no matter what should come their way.

They were her people, she had sworn that she would protect them with her dying breath. That no harm would come to them as long as she stood before them. A sword and shield that would never sway, never falter, and never surrender.

It took her by surprise then, when he saw through her walls. A single glance saw past the lies and deceit all her self-acclaimed friends and companions never thought to question. Saw what she thought was so well hidden behind her creams and powders.

But she saw it in him too, the weight of the crown that nestled within his raven locks. The way he truly felt hidden behind tight smiles and polite laughs. Perhaps it was because she herself knew all the signs, all the ways to hide oneself away. It was why she had no problem confronting him; late one night, when a storm raged around them and those they had sworn to protect were safe within stone walls.

“I hear you crying sometimes when you think no one is listening.” His hand reached out, catching a teardrop as it joined the rainwater leaving streaks down her face. Palm flattening over her cheek as fingers tangled within strands of her hair.

“As I do you.”