Wellspring

Kaida: Bahaha! Look at the expression that froze onto this one's stupid face!

Her sisters soared over the scene, looking down at what was left of the dozen or so orcs now frozen to the Forest floor. Satisfied none had gotten away, they landed for a closer look.

Kaida was but a blur of dazzling white light as she spun around and slammed her long powerful tail through the frozen form in front of her. The corpse shattered into a million shimmering shards of blood and bone that melted as they rained down around the menacingly muscular dragon.

Kaida: Nice job hanging that one up there in the tree, Flurry.

Flurry: Thanks! I can't believe that worked so well. I was just trying to trip them up.

Syrax: That probably means your lair is close by. I bet there's caverns behind the big waterfall at the mouth of the River.

Flurry: Oooh! I hope so! Let's go check it out.

Syrax's polished copper scales glinted in the sunlight, forming freckles of velvety green patina across her nose and shoulders. The dead orc was dangling fifteen feet or more off the ground, at about her eye level.

Syrax: Are those dwarven jawbones on his pauldrons?

Kaida: Badass! Let's leave him up there as decoration.

A bird landed on the scar-riddled orc's tusk and began pecking at the eye that was dangling from its socket. It had popped right out while he was being strangled by the vines still wound tightly around his neck.

Kaida: Let's definitely go to the river once we're done here. I get the roots and the vines, Flurry, but was the mud really necessary?

Kaida hated dirt. Her sister, on the other hand, was always covered in mud and leaves. So much so that sometimes it was hard to tell what was her dark mossy-green hide and what was actual moss.

Flurry: I don't think the mud was me.

Syrax: No, it was me. I didn't really mean to. I was just trying to slow the horde down, then the ground turned to mush underneath them.

Kaida: Alright, Syrax! Didn't think you had it in you. It was pretty funny when you could see they knew they were sunk.

Flurry: Wait. You changed the environment too? Guess we're gonna be neighbours!

Kaida: Isn't it against your precious rules for two dragons to have lairs in the same spot?

Syrax: Aw, don't worry Kaida. I bet yours is nearby too. It's probably just up the Mountain a bit. Where it's colder, like you like it.

Flurry: Technically there's no rule against it. We just can't share hoards. But all Syrax wants to collect are stories about the gods. She can have 'em. I'll take all the . . . Wait. Shut up! Something's coming.

A tiny toddler came teetering out of the woods.

Kaida: Perfect. I could use a snack after that fight.

She licked her lips hungrily.

The child stumbled towards Flurry. It's possible they didn't see her since her colouring camouflaged her so effectively in the Forest.

Flurry: Back off, Kaida. That's a halfling. You know we can't eat them.

Kaida: You sure it's not a dwarf?

Syrax: I'm gonna go ahead and say we don't eat dwarves either.

Kaida pouted.

Kaida: You two always ruin my fun.

She unfurled her long and leathery wings, leapt up into the air, and took flight.

Flurry's eyes were glued to the toddler in bewildered fascination.

Flurry: They're so wobbly. How did they even get here?

The toddler tripped, reaching out to steady themselves against Flurry's foot. They looked all the way up to find Flurry's eyes gazing down intently from far above.

Toddler: Mama?

The toddler's big brown eyes, half hidden under their dark and wavy bowl-cut, welled with tears and they began to sob uncontrollably.

Just then, Kaida landed with an excited thud behind them.

Kaida: Sorry kid, but your Mama's dead.

Flurry: Kaida!

Kaida: It wasn't me! There's a busted up wagon on the road with a bunch of dead halflings. This kid is covered in their blood, I can smell it. Looks like they were all hacked to pieces by axes. It's pretty sick.

She was flush and breathless, like she always got around fresh blood.

Syrax: Had to have been the orcs. You sure there weren't any other survivors?

Kaida: Of course I'm sure. The orcs probably just missed this kid cuz it's so small.

The toddler was barely a foot tall.

Syrax: Ok, well let's bring them to the pool with us. Looks like we could all use a bath.

Flurry lowered her head down to the crying child and spoke in a soothing tone.

Flurry: Would you like that little one? We'll go get cleaned up, then maybe we'll take you to play with Auntie's unicorns in the desert. Doesn't that sound fun?

Syrax: Uh, you do know you can't keep a halfling as a pet, right Flurry?

Flurry: Why not? Little critters love me.

The birds in the trees above twittered in agreement.

Kaida: Wow. We found the first rule that Flurry doesn't like. Just remember to feed it. You know your lair is gonna stink bad enough as it is, without a rotting corpse in the corner.

Flurry blew her sister a sarcastic kiss, after summoning a poison gas bubble to send her way. Kaida held her breath and moved swiftly upwind.

* * *

Flurry cradled the child in the palm of her paw, as the three dragons soared over the trees to the innermost point of the Valley.

They landed a little ways up the Mountain, where several small streams fed into softly swirling pools before falling over the cliff into the River Basin below. From there, the lazy River flowed the length of the Valley and disappeared to the southeast.

Carefully, Flurry set the toddler down on the dirt. She thought they might still be sobbing, but was delighted to see they were grinning wildly instead.

Toddler: Again! Again!

They flapped their arms like wings and jumped up and down. Flurry grinned warmly.

Flurry: Told ya little critters like me.

Syrax: That's great. Now show me how you're gonna feed them, or change their dirty clothes.

Kaida cackled.

Kaida: Just watch, she's gonna end up "loving" it to death, literally. Stick to your nature Flurry, you've got claws for a reason. Bet halfling makes a tasty treat.

Syrax: You start eating halflings, Kaida, we're gonna have a problem.

Rather than respond, Kaida rocketed herself straight up into the air with a single pump of her wings. About 50 feet up, she curled into a ball and came splashing back down into the pool beside them.

Waves washed the shore then faded to ripples, until the pool was once again swirling in a slow spiral.

Syrax: Guess it's deeper than it looks.

Flurry: She can't breathe under water can she?

Just then a spurt of water rose up from the pool and sprayed Flurry in the face. The child rolled on the ground with laughter.

Kaida poked her head above the surface.

Kaida: Oh you like that do you? Ok, you asked for it.

Syrax: Kaida. . .

Kaida ignored her sister's tone of warning and did a somersault in the water. Her fifteen foot tail sent a spray high into the air over all three of her companions still sitting on the shore. As the water droplets began to rain down, she blew her icy breath and turned them into a flutter of frozen flakes.

The toddler stopped laughing and stared up, mesmerized.

Toddler: Whoa.

Syrax relaxed and smiled. It was nice to be reminded that Kaida did have a softer playful side.

Syrax: Ok little one, let's get you in the water and clean you off.

She ushered them into a shallow and calm area. Flurry followed closely, every instinct telling her she needed to protect this child. She did her best to wipe the blood from their face and hair, using the back of her paw to avoid scratching them with her sharp claws.

Flurry: If only I could polymorph into a halfling. Or anything with hands really.

Syrax: Changing shape is powerful magic. Most dragons don't grow their hoards that big until they're ancient, if they ever do.

Flurry: Maybe if I focus really hard on just that, I can learn to do it sooner.

Syrax: Maybe. But unless that happens today, we need to find a more suitable home for this kid. You know that right?

Kaida: You know, this could be a golden opportunity for you to grow your hoard faster, Flurry. Halflings are almost as good as dragons at hiding their stuff. Use this little one to gain their trust, then find out where the treasure is hidden.

Flurry grinned at the thought.

Flurry: I have always wanted to be a treasure hunter. Sure would be easier with a map.

Syrax: You know there's no rule saying you have to steal your hoard, right? The halflings tend to collect things more for curiosity than greed, so I'm sure you could bargain favourable trades with them.

Kaida: You just want to make friends with them so they'll tell you all their stupid stories.

Syrax: I'll bet they end up telling a lot of good stories about you, Kaida. "The elusive white dragon who kills all the biggest and baddest monsters on the Mountain, keeping it safe for the halflings and elves to live in peace and harmony."

Kaida: Ughhh. Don't ruin monster hunting for me.

She'd never admit it to her sisters, but something about becoming a folk hero, a legend, tickled Kaida at her core.

Flurry: The dwarves will tell those ones too. They're setting up camp in the clearing at the bottom of the cliff, not too far from here.

Syrax: That's perfect! This is where the halflings always congregate in the fall, too. We can just set up our lairs here and have them all come to us.

Kaida: Not me. I need somewhere much more secure to build my trophy room. Syrax, you were right by the way. I think there are caverns behind the waterfall. There's long tunnels under the water. I couldn't hold my breath long enough to get to the end though. Flurry, you should go check it out.

Flurry was the only one of the three who could breathe underwater.

The toddler climbed up Flurry's paw, nestled into the crook of her elbow, and closed her eyes.

Flurry: Yeah, my lair is close. I can feel it. Guess this little one really can't stay with me. Doubt they can breathe water. Let them rest, then we'll go find someone to take care of them.

Flurry felt heartsick, but she knew she wasn't set up to take care of a living creature just yet.

Flurry: Go find out what people are around in the Valley.

The request was directed to a flock of robins that were bathing in the puddles that Kaida had splashed up onto the earthy shore.

* * *

The robins returned a little while later to find the three dragons sunning themselves on the rocks, while the child chased a butterfly.

Ever since their first visit to the Forest, Flurry had been able to understand and talk to the small animals who lived there, in their own languages. But it surprised them all when one of the robins took the lead and spoke up in clear Draconic.

Robin: There is a caravan of halflings headed north on the new road. The dwarves have started digging into the cliffside down below us. And of course, the elves are everywhere throughout the Forest.

Flurry: Whoa. That's new. Am I doing that?

The robin shook its head and pointed its beak towards Syrax.

Syrax: Ha! Guess the little critters like me too.

Kaida: Those dwarves aren't wasting any time are they? They probably think the orcs are still after them and are trying to tunnel their way to safety.

Syrax: They did just survive a war. They have enough work to do and grief to process. They don't need to be burdened with another mouth to feed.

Flurry: Plus, we don't know if we can trust them. For all we know they could be dragon slayers here to steal our hoards.

Kaida punched her left palm with her fist.

Kaida: Let them try.

Fog billowed from her nostrils.

Syrax: Yeah, let's keep Kaida away from the dwarves. We need them, remember?

Flurry: I hadn't thought about the elves. They do have small enough hands to feed and clothe a halfling child.

Kaida: The Forest elves are basically just squirrels though. The only things they collect are nuts and roots. You'll never get very strong hoarding that weak-ass "treasure."

Syrax: Why am I not surprised you'd completely overlook the wealth of knowledge they possess?

Flurry: Kaida's right. I'm better off forming a bond with the halflings. They're so small and stealthy that they could probably get me any treasure I ask for. You can make friends with the elves on your own, Syrax.

Syrax: Fine. Let's go find that caravan then.

* * *

The sisters soared northeastward over the forested Foothills.

Kaida: The road's this way, it bends to avoid Auntie's canyon, remember?

Syrax: We should go visit her after this. I bet she's got a great story about how she stopped that horde of orcs from reaching the Mountain.

Kaida: I'm surprised she let any through at all. She's slipping in her old age.

Flurry: I mean, it did look like there were thousands of them crossing the desert.

Kaida: Before we go, we should search around to make sure we got all of them. You know that will be the first thing she asks.

Her tone said she hoped there were still a few orcs left. She was in the mood for a hunt.

Syrax: There's the road.

Flurry: And there's the caravan.

The three huge dragons soared a couple miles past before landing on the road.

Syrax: Maybe you two should hide. The halflings won't see me as a threat. But the sight of the two of you might scare them off.

Flurry was still cradling the child against her chest.

Flurry: No way! I'm staying to make sure we find someone who will take good care of this kid. Someone we can all trust.

Kaida: Let them be scared of me. That'll guarantee they do what we tell them to.

Syrax: Chill, Kaida. All we need to do is find someone who follows Eros above all the other gods.

Flurry: And Behrouz. We need them to know how to get things done.

Kaida: The only god they need to follow is Abhi. If they take pride in being associated with dragons, they'll want to help further our interests.

Syrax: They're coming. Let me talk first at least, to put them at ease.

Kaida: Fine.

Kaida picked up some dirt and twigs from the ground and patted them onto Flurry's hide to help camouflage her a little better, then slinked behind her. Flurry just rolled her eyes.

Syrax moved a few steps forward and assumed an unthreatening pose. She made sure to sit in a sunbeam so that her copper scales would shine brightly. It was well known on the Mountain that metallic dragons were naturally inclined towards goodness, and were never evil.

Halfling1: Holy hell. A dragon!

Halfling2: What's it doing on the road?

Halfling3: Since when are there dragons in the Valley?

Kaida couldn't help but poke her head around Flurry's belly to take a look.

Halfling4: Wait a sec. There's two of them.

Halfling1: Open your eyes lad, there's three.

Halfling2: What the…?

Syrax lowered her head and spoke softly, in Halfling.

Syrax: Don't be alarmed. We don't mean you any harm. I'm sorry to tell you this, but we found a group of your brethren slayed by monsters on the wagon trail through the Forest. The monsters have been taken care of, but there is one survivor who needs a home.

She stepped aside to reveal the toddler who was gripping Flurry's claw tightly. The twenty or so halflings all looked shocked, taking a moment to process what was happening.

An elderly man, wrinkled and slightly hunched with white tufts of hair sticking out of his ears, seemed to lead this clan. He eyed Kaida suspiciously. She curled back her lip to reveal her very sharp teeth, and stared straight back.

Halfling1: What kind of monsters did you say killed the kid's family?

Syrax: They were orcs.

Halfling2: There ain't orcs on the Mountain.

This one's giant bosom suggested she was female.

Syrax: They came across the Desert, but most didn't make it.

Kaida: We took care of the rest.

Halfling1: So you want us to adopt this child?

Flurry: Sort of. I just need someone with smaller and softer hands to care for them right now, while they're too tiny for me to take care of. But I will be checking in regularly.

Halfling1: Yes, of course. A halfling child belongs with halflings, not dragons. Is it a boy or a girl?

Syrax: They don't speak much yet, so they haven't told us.

Halfling1: Can't you check?

Kaida snarled and swiftly slid her burly body between the halflings and Flurry, who was still holding the child.

Kaida: What's it to you, pervert?

Halfling1: Pervert? What? I just ask because I could use another carpenter or fisherman. We've got plenty of girls to do the sewing and the cooking already. Don't really need another.

Syrax: I'm confused. What do reproductive organs have to do with any of those things?

Flurry: Is that a custom among your clan or something?

The halfling looked flabbergasted.

Halfling1: I thought dragons were supposed to know everything. Fixing things takes brains that girls don't have. And they're too squeamish for baiting a hook.

Kaida: Oh, I get it. You're a moron.

Syrax: Guess you're not familiar with Seraphina Tealeaf or Portia Tosscobble? They were both great adventurers. Some of the smartest and strongest halflings that have ever lived.

Halfling1: Witches, both of them. We don't mess around with that magic crap.

Flurry: What about magic objects? Healing potions? Luck charms?

Halfling2: We don't touch any of it. All any halfling needs is a full belly and a soft bed at the end of the day.

Syrax: So what if this child turns out to be a hunter? Or a mage?

Halfling1: We'll raise him right so that don't happen. We teach our kids the right way to be.

Kaida: You think you get to decide who someone else is? Hahaha. Knew it. Moron.

Flurry: I mean, if that's their custom that's their custom. But I don't see what use this particular clan is going to be to us if they're scared of magic stuff.

Syrax: My sister is right, Phobus is clouding your judgement.

She lifted her head and spoke loud enough for the whole clan to hear.

Syrax: Try letting Eros into your heart, friends. I think you'll find Maeve will be quick to follow.

Kaida: Let's get outta here. The kid would be better off living with the apes.

Flurry: Oh yeah, we haven't even considered the apes.

Syrax: The apes don't speak, Flurry. The kid needs to hear the halfling language to learn it. We're sure to find more suitable caregivers if we keep looking.

Flurry: The squirrels are saying there's another group of halflings on the wagon trail. Maybe we'll have better luck with them.

The toddler was tugging on Flurry's paw like they wanted to be picked up. She obliged, stirring up a swirl of leaves as she beat her wings to take flight. The trees pulled their branches out of her way as she shot up above the canopy.

Syrax: That's a nice wagon you have. Rides smooth even on rough roads I bet.

Halfling1: Sure does! It's the best one on the market. Paid a pretty penny for it, but I've already made up for it in the low cost of repairs.

Syrax: I'm sure. You know it was designed by Lidda Leagallow, right? A woman.

She gave him a wink and took flight after Flurry.

Kaida growled and snapped her maw so close to the halfling's face that frost formed on his sideburns.

Halfling1: Whoa, ok ok. We still have a peace agreement don't we? Halflings don't steal from dragons and you all don't eat us. Right?

Kaida: True. But no dragon is gonna fault me for taking just one of your heads to mount in my trophy room.

A dark wet patch grew on the old halfling's pants. Kaida grinned with malice and followed her sisters to the sky.

* * *

The dragons found the other group of halflings searching the wagon that the orcs had hacked apart. The remains of the toddler's slaughtered family were no longer in sight.

Syrax: They must have buried the bodies already.

Flurry: Good. The kiddo doesn't need to see that.

Kaida: These ones look like looters. I like them better already.

At first there only appeared to be two halflings searching the crime scene. One was wearing a bright blue tunic under a matching leather vest, and had a lute strapped to their back. The other wore a ruby-red robe over simple chain mail, and carried a mace and shield. The shield was emblazoned with a heart-shaped sigil.

Syrax: They must be followers of Eros. I like them better already too.

Flurry: And look at that, they're using magic. Things are looking up, kid.

The two brightly clad halflings each had lodestones in their hands. They held them at either end of the slash marks cut through the wagon's wood, casting cantrips to mend it piece by piece.

Suddenly a third halfling appeared as if from nowhere.

Kaida: That one kinda looks like you, Flurry.

What she meant was that their dark green and brown armour matched the colours of their surroundings so perfectly that even the dragons' keen eyes missed them until they moved to speak up.

Kith: You two really think you can fix that thing?

The one in red responded.

Nedda: Nah, not completely. But we can make a half decent cart outta the parts we can fix.

Eldyn: Something smaller will suit us better anyway. It'll be lighter and easier to pull offroad.

Syrax: Will it be big enough for one more?

The three halflings spun around to face the three huge dragons who had landed silently on the path behind them.

Kith: Holy fuck! Where the hell did you come from?

Nedda: Did you do this? I thought the dragons all agreed to leave us alone.

She tried to sound brave, but her voice quavered. No halfling had been slayed by a dragon in centuries, but facing three dragons that were twenty times her size gave her pause.

Flurry: No, of course not. We wouldn't.

Kaida: No, if I'd done it, you wouldn't have found any remains.

Syrax: Did you know this clan?

Eldyn: Sort of. They were my cousins twice-removed. On my mother's side. They were travellers. Only came round here for harvest season.

Flurry set the toddler down in front of the wide-eyed halflings, who were all desperately trying to keep their cool.

Flurry: Do you know this child then?

Eldyn: Poe!

Nedda: Thank the gods!

Kith: Wow. We thought they'd been dragged off by a wolf or something.

Eldyn had tears streaking down his cheeks. Nedda bent down to embrace the child, who hugged her right back.

Flurry: Hold on now. Just cuz you're related doesn't mean you can be trusted to raise the child.

Kaida: Do you even want to? You look like you're setting off on adventure.

She eyed the daggers strapped to Kith's thighs. Halflings typically wielded shovels and hoes, maybe a fishing rod. These three were armed for combat.

Eldyn: It's true, we are setting off to explore the world. My two friends here fancy themselves adventurers. I'm just tagging along to keep them alive, or at best tell the tales of their demise.

He winked at Kith who stuck their tongue out in response.

Syrax: So you can't take care of our tiny friend here?

Flurry: What if we sweetened the deal? My sisters and I are settling in the Valley. It could be to your benefit to have an alliance with dragons.

Kith: An alliance? Hell yeah! What kind of alliance?

Syrax: For now, we just want to know that the kid, Poe is it, is safe. Bring them to the River Basin to visit us, often.

Flurry: If we see they are doing well we will reward you. Bring anything interesting you find on your adventures too, I'll give you favourable trade.

Kaida: And bring word of the biggest and baddest monsters you hear of. I'll take care of them for ya.

Syrax gave her a look of amusement.

Kaida: I mean, if you happen to find any that I haven't already ripped to shreds.

The three halflings looked at each other, then at Poe who still had their arms wrapped tight around Nedda's neck.

Eldyn: We are looking for a fourth, but I'm not sure taking a toddler with us was quite what we had in mind. We can bring them to the Meadow, though. My mother is the best cook on the Mountain.

Nedda: Our grandfather would love someone new to tell all his long winded stories to.

Syrax's ears perked up, but she still looked uncertain.

Kith: Our uncle lives in a burrow near them too. There's certainly an inexhaustible source of loving people who will happily help this kid find their place in the world.

At that, Syrax smiled in satisfaction.

Syrax: Yes, your clan sounds like it has a much better culture for raising children than those followers of Phobus we met on the road.

Kaida: It's fine if you get help with the kid. Just don't tell any others where to find us. Keep to your mole hills in the Meadow.

Flurry: Don't mind her. As long as they bring Poe to visit, any of your clan is welcome at my waterfall.

Flurry brushed Poe's cheek with the back of her paw and leaned in close.

Flurry: Goodbye for now little one. I will see you again soon.

Poe turned around and hugged Flurry's nose tight.

Satisfied they'd found the best people they could to take care of the tiny toddler that they'd grown immeasurably fond of in only a few short hours, the three dragons took flight. Flurry's vision was blurry with tears, but the trees moved out of her way so it didn't matter.

Kaida: Don't worry sis. That's a good deal you just made. It's gonna pay off big, I bet ya. Just wait.

Syrax: Kaida, look at that. There's snow falling on the icy peak above the wellspring.

--- fin ---

Wellspring is an original story based, in part, on the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. It is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.