The woods surround the base of the hill, onto which the Caves open. It's a deciduous wood, filled with the hushed hustle and bustle of thousand upon thousand of small creatures going about their business.You turn swiftly towards an especially loud rustle at your back, and come face to face with a young man whose shock of dark hair stands almost straight up from his head. He steps back a bit and it's only then that you see the wings at his shoulders.
Catching the look on your face he says hurriedly, "Yes, I'm fae... puts paid to all the stories about fairies being tiny, really, doesn't it..." He grins, and offers a hand. "What am I thinking of? I suppose you're visiting the caves? This is our... um... exploration outpost. I'm Thorne, and it's my job to hunt about and see if any interesting creatures live in the... neighbourhood." A howl sounds out from the undergrowth, and a large, lupine creature steps into view.
"Meet Fenris," Thorne grins. "He's a Canis, the DragonMoon answer to your common or garden wolf. Just look at the size of him. We reckon this guy has the makings of an alpha male in him, but there aren't any others about... he must have come to this world as a pet, and then gone feral." The Canis trots over to you and shiffs your hands, then codescends to be petted before padding back into the trees.
"Must be feeding time," Thorne surmises. |
