Friday, July 6, 2012

Letter Nine


My Dearest Nephew,
It has come under my notice that your uncle Gargazath has been advising you to enter the repossession business. I would advise against such an act as it can be a rather strenuous and overly dangerous occupation. When repossessing the treasures hoarded by another dragon, one must also battle them and kill them before they can take any of said dragon’s said treasures so as not to risk the dragon coming after you for revenge. As such you must see that this occupation is only for the foolhardy who often die within months of beginning their campaign. The treasures collected by another dragon are not worth your life.
            I would say the best occupation for one such as you would be either the local wise-dragon or the knight assisting business. The local wise-dragon is well paid in food, treasures and the goodwill of the local humans which is always good to have on your side.
            On the other hand, a young dragon such as yourself might find your calling as the roaming knight’s companion. Knights and warrior of all kinds are often in need of the wisdom and power of a benevolent dragon. I happen to know as a fact that it is a well paying business having taken it up for a short time in my youth before settling down. The knight in question will insist upon repaying you in some way for your services even if the quest is not successful. As some of these knights are on a quest set by their king, they are almost always able to amply reward a dragon for his efforts. If they are rich men with many connections, do not refuse their offers of reward. But, if they are poor knights with hardly two coins to rub together, it is wise to simply say something like “the fact that justice has been served is all the payment I require.” The reason for this is that accepting the reward of a poor knight will leave him penniless and much less likely to come for your assistance on future quest. Also such rewards are often simply things of purely sentimental value and of non whatsoever to the dragon in question:
Poor knight: Here, take this, it was my little child’s first catch-cloth, it means a lot to me.
Dragon: Ah, thank you I will um, treasure it forever.
            See what I mean? Never take the reward of a poor knight as it will be of no use to you and often better off as a pile if ashes or weighted down with rocks and cast from the cliffs. Also, when dealing with a poor knight, it is often wise to give them a treasure from your collection, not necessarily too large or costly, but enough to raise them out of their poverty. Such an act will make you known as a kindly dragon far and wide, give you the goodwill of the knight and give you a certain satisfied feeling.
            I think I have given enough information on the subject of occupation to give you a fine view of the jobs available to you as a growing dragon, I shall therefore say farewell until I write again.
Your humble servant, mentor and uncle,
Semithino

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