The humid air of the rainforest hung heavy around Chameleon, a stark contrast to the knot of fear tightening in his stomach. Banished. The word echoed in his mind, a bitter condemnation that eclipsed the familiar sounds of the jungle. He was an outcast, undesirable even in a tribe known for its laid-back acceptance. He had taken only what he could carry – a small pouch filled with scavenged trinkets, a half-eaten mango, and a burning ember of resentment. He flew for days, his wings aching, driven by a desperate need to escape the suffocating pity he felt radiating from every scale of the rainforest. The vibrant green slowly bled away, replaced by the harsh yellows and browns of the desert. The air grew hotter, drier, and the change in landscape mirrored the hardening of his heart. He landed near the Scorpion Den, a sprawling mass of mud-brick buildings baking under the unforgiving sun. It was a place of shadows and secrets, of whispers and greed. Perfect. He’d heard tales of the Scorpion Den, whispers carried on the desert wind. Tales of merchants, mercenaries, and… treasure. Lots and lots of treasure. His eyes, usually dull, gleamed with a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, here he could find a place where his peculiarities were not weaknesses, but… assets. He approached the Den cautiously, the stench of sweat, spices, and desperation thick in the air. Dragons of all tribes milled through the narrow streets, their eyes narrowed, their claws twitching. He edged towards a group of SandWings lounging in the shade of a crudely constructed awning. They were playing some sort of dice game, piles of glittering coins stacked precariously between them. “Excuse me,” Chameleon said, his voice a raspy croak from disuse. The SandWings looked up, their expressions ranging from bored indifference to open hostility. One, a burly dragon with a scar that bisected his snout, spat on the ground. “What do you want, RainWing? Lost, are you?” “I’m… looking for work,” Chameleon stammered, shrinking under their gaze. “I’m good at finding things.” He didn’t mention he also had a knack for acquiring them without paying. That could wait.
Art by me using Kleki. (I completely forgot the talon and scroll so I had to add it in, so that's why it looks funky. Apologies.)
