Ravensblood Forest rineless

His tail flicked thoughtfully as she spoke, carefully considering each claim she made. Though she spoke nothing of the more basic trades, he found it difficult to fault her skills in more seafaring tasks. Her knowledge of raiding and trading would prove invaluable if, of course, she was telling the truth.

All would be revealed in time.

"Yer in, on one condition," he spoke finally, appearing still largely unimpressed. From this close he could feel the warmth of her breath tickle his whiskers, the flush of his skin a warm fire in the frosted air. "I'm not a tyrant, but I run a tight ship which means we all gotta pull our weight - including rapscallions like yerself."

"Use that sweet tongue of yers to scout our neighbours. If ye can find a place to pillage before the solstice, ye get first pick of the booty." A sly grin split his jaw just wide enough to reveal a set of sharp, yellowed teeth. Would she agree to his terms?