Challenge #04714-L330: A Simple Misunderstanding

The dragon had so much gold in their cave that their hoard, built up over many generations, had gotten way out of hand. So they began to melt the gold into jewelry, though that did tarnish it. But it was not to give to the rich. Each piece was carefully crafted and handed out to poor travelers in the forms of bracelets or necklaces. And in each one a dragon's blessing. Vicious animals, and cruel opportunists, would feel the need to be... elsewhere when approaching the humble ones wearing such. -- Anon Guest

Contrary to popular opinion, Dragons do not hoard gold for a bed. It serves much better as pest control, as molten gold can get into the nooks and crannies of their scales and sear away anything living that got in there. The organic components burned away, eventually. Often with the help of beeswax, and some believed that the shaken drops of gold were the origin of coins for lesser mortals.

Regardless of legend versus truth, Yenkryth the Glossy had to finally admit that he had far too much of it. And some of it was looking manky. Adding fresh gold to the adulterated spoils would only render the total to be slightly less impure.

Much though he hated to admit it. Yenkryth had to clean out his hoard. And since he was not a wasteful dragon, he had to find something to do with it all. Something potentially useful.

What did the lesser mortals do with metal anyway?

To find an answer, Yenkryth sailed down to a band of mortal travelers, circling to be sure they knew he wasn't a threat, and landing safely away from their animals. "I seek answers," he said. "What do your folk do with metals?"

A nearby Hellkin, who had been hammering at some, lifted the straw-gold item in her tongs. "Horseshoes, mostly."

"Horseshoes. An ideal item. Thank you, honourable mortal." And, ignoring the laughter of the travelers below, took wing again for his lair.

A piece of granite, carved with the crescent shape as best as Yenkryth remembered, would serve as the mould. It took a few goes to get the timing right between filling the mould, and having the resultant crescent be cool enough to pick out in one piece. With the help of an old barrel, Yenkryth sought out the travelers who had gifted him with the useful information. Two to the Hellkin who had answered him, and one each to the rest of the band.

Thereafter, Yenkryth watched the roads for travelers, and handed out his horseshoes until they were all gone. They were very happy to see him. Some of them passed by four, five times a week.

[Photo by Jonathan Bean on Unsplash]

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