Hello everyone. Hope are having a lovely day. I would like to share the latest chapter of my ongoing series. Feedback on any parts are welcome. Thank you for reading.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Chapter 4: A Hoard Spent

A slight giggle echoed faintly in the room. The lamp shone brightly on the pile of coins resting on the soft grey handkerchief. A tiny red dragon carefully polished each coin with a smaller swatch of wool, arranging the shining metal so it reflected the light. He giggled again, eyes bright as he gazed upon his small hoard, wiping away dust and polishing the coins until they gleamed.

Lace looked up from her scrolls, a smile on her lips as she watched the little dragon take such gentle care of his coins. Several times a week he would count them carefully, clean and polish them, and rearrange them on the crimson pillow. It became a ritual, a routine of his and Lace enjoyed watching each time.

Vesper sat back on his haunches, a look of satisfaction on his reptilian features at the array of coins sitting next to his immense gold one. He caressed the original foundation of his hoard before flying across the room to land next to Lace. “What’s so funny?” He asked gazing up at her face.

“Oh nothing,” the little witch replied stifling a smirk. “Just thinking about the potions we need to make for the next order.”

Vesper looked down at the open roll of parchment. “Have they paid you back yet?”

Lace shook her head, an expression of annoyance growing. “No, they keep putting me off. I really need them to settle their bill. It’s starting to be-“ she stopped as Vesper craned his neck upwards. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought I heard...” the little dragon’s eyes flicked back and forth over ceiling. “Hmm maybe-look out!” He leapt, propelling himself like an arrow and tackled Lace in the chest. She squawked with surprise, the force knocking her over. The small crackling the dragon heard turned into a wave of breaking timber. A large portion of the roof fell down raining debris where the two day moments ago.

Lace rolled, coughing and holding the little dragon against her. “Are-are you okay?!” Her voice shrill with concern.

“F-fine...atchoo!” Vesper sneezed and a tiny gout of fire followed the noise. “Are you?” He pokes his snout at her, looking for injury.

She hugged him gratefully. “I’m fine thanks to you!” She sighed as she looked up at the ragged hole in the roof. “The cottage however looks a little worse for wear though...”

“Are you insane?!” Vesper looked over at Lace with worry as she nearly shrieked at the tall man. “That cost is astronomical!”

He shrugged, gazing up at the broken roof. “Thats how much it’ll cost,” he drawled doggedly. “Can’t replace just part of it. Not to mention you live so far out in the woods. It’ll cost lady.”

Vesper bristled at his tone but held his fire. Lace sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I do not have that kind of money on me. My own clients have not paid me back on time. I cannot live with a giant hole in my roof either. The rainy season is about to start and my reagents and herbs will be ruined not to mention my potion work.”

The man shrugged apologetically. “Wish I could help but that’s the minimum. Can’t stay around long either. There’s work in Thistleton and that’s a few leagues away. We can’t stay but for a couple days. You got till then to let us know.” He bowed awkwardly, handing her a slip of paper, and left, leaving Lace staring at his back.

Vesper placed the last of his coins away and flew over. He landed on her shoulder and draped his tail around the back of her neck. “Is everything okay Lace?”

She wiped a tear away and squared her shoulders. “It will be Vesper. We do not need them to fix it.” She patted his tail and threw the slip of parchment aside. “Come on, we can fix it.”

Hours later the little dragon crept outside and found the piece of paper. The two had cleared as much thatching as they could but neither of the two were big enough to get the timber needed to repair the hole. Lace had gone to bed early, quiet and dispirited despite Vesper’s best efforts. He opened the slip of paper and looked at the untidy scrawl of the roofer. He looked back at the cottage and sighed deeply before taking wing and flying up into the night.

A crash of wood shocked Lace from slumber. At first she thought the rest of the roof was falling but the noise came from outside. Pulling a robe on she dashed out, stopping short at the sight. The roofer was calling orders to his workers, a wagon of timber and slates sat just outside the garden while others sharpened tools.

“Ah sorry about that.” The roofer doffed his hat and glared at a couple of sheepish men. “Don’t worry, they’re clumsy on the ground but they’ll be up to snuff.”

“Wh-what is going on?” asked the bewildered witch.

“Fixing the roof of course. Like we said we’re going to replace it.”

“But but, I didn’t have the money!”

The roofer look perplexed and opened a pouch. “Found this on the wagon this morning. The bill I gave you and the payment.” Lace gasped seeing the motley of coins resting in the man’s palm. “Just enough though lots of different coins. Don’t worry lady, we’ll do a good job.”

Lace nodded dumbly, waiting for the roofer to look away before dashing back inside. She rushed to the shelf and saw the single gold coin resting on the pillow, the rest of the coins she had paid Vesper missing. Eyes wet she crept up to the sleeping little dragon and laid a hand on his head. “Oh Vesper...”

The little dragon snuffled awake. Blinking sleepily he shook his head. “What’s wrong Lace? Why are you crying?”

She wiped her tears away. “You gave away your hoard. Those were your coins, rightfully earned.”

The little dragon curled slightly, scales clicking shyly. “But we needed to fix the roof right? I counted and it should have been enough, without giving my first coin.” He looked at her uncertainly. “Do they need more? Do...they...want-“ he coughed in surprise as Lace swept him up.

“No. They said it’s enough.” Her voice muffled as she buried her face in his wings.

“Oh...that’s good then.” A strange feeling filled is breast as he wrapped his tail around her wrist, wings flapping gently. He was relieved they didn’t want his last coin. He was happy that the roof would be fixed. Yet, he felt shy over what he did.

“I’ll pay you back. I promise.” Lace stood back, tears running down her face.

Vesper shook his head, blowing hot air to dry the tears. “No, that is ok. I will just earn more.” His eyes glinted a little as he smiled. “Us little ones have to stick together.”