The wind whistles as a silent ship docks at a snow covered outpost. The wood of the boat creaks and groans as a small light flickers from the ignition of a lantern. The footsteps echo within the cabin as the lantern steadily travels past iron bars of differing sizes. The figure holding the lantern is illuminated just enough to see a half burned face scanning the containers. Following close behind, a cloaked figure speaks in a matter of fact tone, “The specimen must be a quick learner and able to hold and retrieve tools. Preferably one that is small and cheap to feed.” The burned man leading the survey moves the lantern closer to a cage. As the flames flash beams and pillars of light through the bars a feathered texture appears on the inside.

The feathers arrange into a large creature forming to a large beak as two large curious eyes stare at the flame. As the hooded follower peers closer the creature lunges forward as two large talons flash in the light of the lantern. The hooded man stumbles back causing his hood to fall revealing an old and tattered face with shining scales that seemed to grow from his neck. The griffon held tightly by a chain around its hind paws struggles in vain to attack the bars. The lantern bearer cackles seeing the flustered man. “You won’t want that one then.”

The follower clears his throat and reaffirms his hood following the light further past many more rows of cages. Until it fell to a small cage only waist high to these individuals towards the back of the ship’s cabin. “I see you have a great selection and yet none that fit my needs. Perhaps I was wrong to call upon your group to supply me.” without saying a word a cluck of the burnt man’s tongue gathers the scaled purveyor's attention.

They both peer down at the small cage as he pulls away a bulky cloth revealing scales shining a deep red. They flow up a small tail attached to a halfling sized body. A long snout seems to swivel upwards towards them giving a direct trail to golden yellow eyes. They squinted, seeming adverse to the light but quickly focusing onto the two men. The three stare at each other for a few seconds until the sound “thwack” wizzes out from under the small scaled beast revealing a small stone flung directly towards the hooded figure. Right before making contact a small shimmering ripple appears as the rock is thrown off course. A small grunt of dissatisfaction comes from the red scaled beast as his makeshift crossbow did not hit its mark. Meanwhile past the shimmering magic shield a grin grew as the scholar said “This one will do.”