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While Luke was getting settled in the nameless village, Professor Sageira, more commonly known in dragon circles by her true name, Sgaer'khathz Vruul'draggashk, was lying down in a cave with a dragon-sized fur blanket covering her and a roaring fire burning in the firepit before her.
On the other side of the firepit, there was another dragon that was also white, but her color wasn't as pure as Sgaer'khathz's. It had a light blue tint. That other dragon was Vruulkthaz Skraeghrimm, the Frost Dragon who lived in the frozen mountain they were currently in, and the mother of Luke's target.
"So I take it that this surprise you insist on keeping secret from me is ready?" Vruulkthaz asked as she took a sip from a whiskey barrel with its top popped off, making it look like a small cup in her huge dragon hand.
"Indeed, I have been raising this one for years. He is trustworthy and is strong enough to put down most wyrmlings and pose a genuine threat to even mature adult wyrms." Sgaer'khathz said proudly while nursing her own barrel of whisky.
"Impressive. I always find myself impressed by when and how champions rise among the short-lived races. I am grateful for you lending me your mortal champion. I have been keeping my son away from the three most powerful barbarian tribes under the pretense of those areas being his older cousins' hunting ground, but in recent days, he has been exploring in their direction. He has no problem with the smaller barbarian tribes, but I fear that if he attacks the powerful barbarian tribes, he may get killed, especially if their chieftains attack." Vruulkthaz said in the tone all mothers made when worried about their children.
It was then that the sound of flapping wings, followed by talons tapping on the stone floor, echoed through the cave. "Ah, it seems like the wyrm in question has arrived." Sgaer'khathz said.
Vruulkthaz unleashed a throat growl, which was the human equivalent of getting someone's attention and calling them over.
A few seconds later, a frost dragon's head poked around the corner. "You called, mother?"
"Yes," Vruulkthaz said and motioned her head to Sgaer'khathz. "Come greet your great-grand aunt, Sgaer'khathz Vruul'draggashk. You may not recognize her, but she was around for a few days just after you hatched."
The young adult dragon quickly came inside the room and bowed his head in respect. "I greet great-grand aunt and honored elder, Sgaer'khathz Vruul'draggashk. I have not earned a true name yet, so please call me Thryz as my mother does."
Sgaer'khathz nodded in acknowledgment of the young dragon's greeting and studied him, eventually drawing her eyes to a burlap sack clutched in one of his hands. "And what do you have there, young wyrm?" Sgaer'khathz asked.
Thryz puffed up his chest and upturned the sack, emptying it on the ground. "This is my spoils! Like any respectable wyrm, I am currently building up my hoard. My hoard pile is already as big as my head! One day, I am going to build a hoard pile bigger than Mother's!" he announced proudly.
Both older dragons nodded their heads. "A good aspiration to have. But remember, young dragon, only silver and gold does not a hoard make. Anyone can get their hands on silver and gold. You need to diversify what you keep in your hoard. Try looking for works of art, rare jewelry, knowledge in the form of books, scrolls, tomes, and magical artifacts. Only then would you have a hoard worthy of being called a dragon's hoard." Sgaer'khathz advised the younger dragon.
Thryz's eyes went wide as if he was bestowed enlightenment. Then he looked at his mother with confusion on his face. "Mother, how come you only got gold and silver in your hoard?"
Vruulkthaz released an annoyed huff. "I do have those other things in my hoard, I just have it sealed away. You may not remember it, but in your first year after you hatched, you were a little troublemaker, running around and knocking my carefully arranged hoard. Instead of chewing on gold and silver ingots like a normal wyrmling, you had more expensive tastes. You used irreplaceable ancient armor as chew toys, and instead of frolicking in the abundant snow outside, you frolicked in confetti made from shredded magic tomes!" she said as she jabbed an accusatory talon in his direction.
Like most babies, Thryz did not remember the early years of his life, but what his mother said he did make him wince. He may not have collected those other things Sgaer'khathz advised him of, but he intrinsically understood the value of a scarce item, especially when his mother mentioned the irreplaceable ancient armor.
Even though he knew he was not at fault for his actions at barely one year of age, his pride said otherwise. He reared up his neck straight and chest puffed. "Mother, I shall atone for my disgraceful actions. I shall bring you twice, no, ten times what I destroyed!"
In response, Vruulkthaz threw a nearby gold ingot at her son, hitting him on the chest, but not hard enough to injure him. Just enough to get his attention from his boasting of future exploits. "Silly child of mine, I do not need anything in return. All I need is for you to grow into a fine dragon, find yourself a lady, and start giving me grandchildren."
"But Mum-" Thryz whined.
"No buts." Vruulkthaz snapped at him. "Speaking of growing into a fine dragon, how is your progress on Dragon Tongue magic? You may speak it, but have you been keeping up with the mana circulation practice to will your words into existence?"
Hearing her question, Thryz looked away from her while looking sheepish.
Vruulkthaz gave Sgaer'khathz a knowing look before looking back at her son. "I will take that as a no. You are coming to my room tonight, and you are going to practice until I am happy."
"But Mum-" Thryz whined and was cut off once again.
"That was final. Now, stay here and entertain your grand aunt while I defrost a meal for us." Vruulkthaz said as she walked out of the room, giving Sgaer'khathz a wink only she could see.
When they were alone, Thryz was sullenly scooping his loot back into the sack when Sgaer'khathz said, "Hey, kid."
Despite being fifty years old, Thryz pouted while replying, "I am not a kid!"
"You are to me. You still want to replace the stuff you broke in your mother's hoard?" she asked.
Thryz looked around consparitraly before nodding.
"Then I suggest you head south, they have a lot more treasures than what these barbarians you have been raiding have. And I know the perfect place to start." Sgaer'khathz said with a grin.