Chapter Text
An infant was found by a patrolling Dread Knight, whimpering in the dirt, helpless and unprotected. The Knight, concerned for the child’s safety, brought him back to Yiithorn and presented him to the head of the Guard, Ukaitul.
"He was abandoned in the wilderness, far from any civilization. He was left to die," the Knight reported.
Ukaitul considered this for a moment, a look of slight vexation present on his face. This confused the Knight, causing him to feel a sense of awkwardness amongst his peers in front of their leader.
"He cannot stay here," Ukaitul finally responded. "Had you not searched for his home before bringing the child here?"
"No," The Knight admitted, but stood firm by his decision. "He was left in the dirt and filth. He was utterly alone. There is no doubt in my mind he was purposefully deserted."
As Ukaltul paused to again consider this, annoyance more clear on his expression than before, the other Knights begin to murmur to each other. It wasn’t unpermitted, but speaking back to authority was highly frowned upon. The Knight almost began to worry he shouldn’t have spoken up at all, but what would have happened to this infant? Would he not have perished? No, if no one else would defend this child, he would.
At that thought, Ukaitul made his decision. "If you so wish the child to remain so deeply, you shall be his caretaker."
The Knight should have known this would have been the outcome, however he was still slightly stunned. Despite this, he managed a "Yes, sir," before being dismissed to his quarters with the child in tow. The gossiping whispers of his colleagues began to fade as he exited, and he exhaled a breath he had not realized was being held back. Entering his chamber and shutting the door tightly behind him, he allowed himself to get a good look at the child he’d be caring for.
The infant was red-skinned but furry, its matted and dirty appearance made it difficult to see its true color. Two small nubs of horns sprouted from the child’s head, and it had a bit of a snout. He had small black claws, nubby and useless, like someone had tried to cut them off. The Knight’s heart sank as it further believed the child had been left to die alone. Who could do such a thing? No matter. The child would be cared for now.
The child whimpered slightly, and the Knight was brought back to his present reality. "There, there," he soothed, bringing the infant close. "Let’s get you cleaned up."
Taking the child to his lavatory, he began by running the faucet, knowing the bath would be too large for an infant. He hoped his soap would be efficient, thinking of how it would be best to wash the child’s fur. He looked down at the child in his hold, finding him being stared back at.
"I suppose I never introduced myself, have I?" he spoke tenderly to the infant. "I am Laudacdors."
The child continued to stare silently, blinking up at Laudacdors.
Laudacdors tore his gaze away from the child for a moment to assess the water’s temperature. Much too hot. He adjusted it, flicking the water from his fingers into the sink afterwards. He turned again to the infant, their eyes locking once more.
"I would think you require a name as well," Laudacdors mused to the child. "How about… Pongorma?"
The child gurgled in a happy tone, and Laudacdors chuckled back. "Seems like you fancy the sound of that. So you shall be called Pongorma."