Fairspell Meadow loyalty loyalty loyalty

through gritted teeth qiao stayed her impulse to lunge, for she had seen ramesses through the thin reeds, and had hoped he would spare her the expense of a lost meal.

foolish thing, hope.

she straightened, peering down at the disfigured thing that would have been her meal. perhaps he was better spared; surely, the gods had taken great offense to his existence to smite him so cruelly with impairment. he was either a hideous rat, or a wolf given some grotesque curse.

she glanced along to the man and his silent companion. she recognized him immediately for his bearing -- only a king could command such haughty disdain.

the grotesque little thing spoke; qiao's lip curled to hear such a charming voice. goblin, gnome, or otherwise, he had earned her interest. "hunting. where is your palace?"