Page 32 of Drakhana's Secret
Twenty-One
Sapphire
Once the warriors have cleared the tunnels and my elder advisers have given the okay to start building dwellings within the settlement, I call all the adults to start cleaning instead of building a camp for us at the glen. As soon as we can, we’d like to start living within the tunnels. It’s far safe since we will be safe from view.
Any dragons from the ice of fire clans flying by will not be able to see us. The glen is still too exposed for my liking. To speed up the process, I listened to the whispers of Mother Earth and got the young ones involved.
Earth dragons have the ability to sculp the earth in whatever image we choose. We can create dwellings out of caves and even make furniture from the walls. Because the settlement already has a water source inside, we can incorporate running water within our houses.
Soon, I come to discover that the fledglings are pretty good at using the earth’s power to create living spaces. They even know how to add flourishes like light sconces for the touches and chandeliers for candles. Many of them are so free with their imagination that the houses are some of the prettiest I’ve seen.
Many of the adults who pause in their cleaning and organizing actually are impressed. The young ones are merely happy to be of use. They are helping and what they are doing matters to everyone.
We start by creating dwellings for the elderly so that they have a place to stay when night falls. I assign one fledgling and a whelp per dwelling. This way the whelp can learn by observing their older brothers and sisters. They can even help by making suggestions.
I just make sure to remind the fledglings not to tire themselves. If they need a break then they should. When they finish a dwelling then it’s mandatory that they rest first before moving on to their next project.
We have dome houses. Oval houses. Ones that resemble honeycombs. No matter the shape, they are all livable.
The more powerful fledglings can actually create houses with multiple rooms for those with families. For a moment, my heart breaks for the orphans who are still helping even after losing their parents to this tragedy. They are the strongest amongst us.
I make a solemn vow that they will want for nothing within our community. They will get all the support and love that they need. We are all here for each other.
All the elders are appreciative when they start moving into their new homes. They bring in flowers and whatever of their things are left to personalize their spaces. Some even start creating cutlery and whatever they may need for their homes.
Today shows the earth clan’s powers at its finest. I would rather use my strength to create rather than to destroy. But I also know that if I have to protect my people, I will literally move the earth we are standing upon to do it.
Slowly but surely, we are recreating our community again. It actually sends an air of purpose among everyone. This is our new home and we will do everything in our power to protect it.
I make several mental notes. Chief among them is to call on the dragons we left behind who are tending the leftover flock. They can now start bringing the animals to where we are so that we can use them for sustenance.
We will also have to start dedicating a piece of the land outside for a garden. The sooner we start planting vegetables and herbs, the faster we will be able to feed ourselves. At the same time, Baba and I can start making tonics and salves again. We always need a ready supply of the stuff and foraging for the ingredients isn’t exactly easy.
With the children concentrating on the dwellings, I concentrate on creating the hospital. I chose one of the bigger cavers on the west side of the settlement. It’s a wonderful space that actually has a small opening at the top that lets in natural light.
I start by creating partitions for private rooms. I create a main room where patients can wait their turn to be seen by medics. Then I create the ward and a space where all the supplies will be placed. Lastly, I create small clinics for the medics and several operating rooms with one bigger room that can accommodate a dragon who is unconscious and can’t shed his skin.
Once it’s complete, I invite Baba inside and ask her opinion if there’s anything else needed. She gives her input and I manifest out of the earth everything that she feels is still needed. Only when she is satisfied do we begin moving in the last of the injured who are still in the middle of their recovery.
Leaving Baba in-charge of the hospital, I go and check on the fledglings. They are all doing so well and are actually enjoying themselves after days of doing nothing. The whelps have smiles on their faces, which warms my heart to no end.
Then I check on the dragons preparing the food. We will have a mini celebration tonight in honor of finding our new home. Everyone will have a dwelling before the day is over.
By the time afternoon rolls around, I have created a house for myself and for Baba too since I know that she’s too busy with her patience to bother making one for her own. I even make it similar to the one she had at our old village. I can only wish I can stock it with everything she needs for her tonics and salves.
I go to the glen and see that there are only a few dragons left there. Many of them are setting the area to rights so that it looks like we haven’t been there at all. The carts have been tucked away in their special place within the tunnels. Pretty soon, we will all be inside—out of sight.
I take a moment to breathe while the others are working. My mind immediately wanders to Gallant. I can’t wait to tell him all about this place and how magnificent it will look once we’re done. It will be better than any other place the earth dragons have occupied.
My elation and excitement soon fade into worry. I don’t like that we haven’t heard anything from the dragons in the city. Are they all still alright? Are they all even alive?
I push away the possibility that they are not and hold on to the hope that they are doing everything in their power to succeed. I wish that they hadn’t gone to the city and had just stayed with them. If they had then they would all be together in this new settlement that they are reviving. It’s certainly a place to be proud of.
This time around, once everyone is settled, I will make sure that we have defense in place. I will no longer allow for us to be take unaware. Yes, we will not look for fights, but if the fight comes to us, we will certainly be ready.
A ping in my senses causes me to look up at the sky. In the distance, I see a large contingent of ice dragons flying toward the city. My gut drops. Could they be going there to attack Gallant and the rest of the earth dragons?
Immediately, I know what I have to do. I need to warn Gallant. Our people are already safe here in the new settlement. I want the dragons fighting in the city to live long enough to be able to come home and see what we have done here.
