@neurotickiddiepool this isn’t short bc I have a flare for the dramatics.
Ismene walked the length of the docks where the import goods were being frantically unloaded and inspected. Something was---off. Not had registered as a breach when she’d checked the spells, but she could feel it. Like a nagging itch on the back of her neck.
The crowds tried to part for her as she paced the docks, but only managed to give her a few feet of precious space before tripping over themselves. She wasn’t a large dragon. With a body much like a tall, raptor with a remarkably long neck, relatively small wings that she kept folded onto her back, and quick feet she was built for navigating the maze of roots and branches that made up the bathing marshes to the west. It should have been much easier to navigate the crowd than it was.
Her mate followed behind as closely as he could, and Ismene was confident he would catch up if he fell behind.
A strange scent caught in her nose and riled her. She took off at a brisk run, jumping or even flying over obstacles if she needed to, before managing to clamber over the side of an airship and shove her way into its cargo hold. She froze in the doorway, sniffing to be certain.
“I know you’re in here you filthy stowaway.” She green dragoness hissed harshly. She spotted the ruddy red scales of her mate approaching in the reflection off a metal shipping cylinder.
“Find it.” She demanded, spurring her mate into action. He scurried past her, sniffing around the crates until he found the stowaway and took hold of her clothes in his mouth so he could drag her out.
Ismene regarded the mortal girl with cold black eyes and flicked her tail, causing it to thump loudly against the wood of the ship. “How did you get on this ship you little beast! Tell me the truth and I might not eat you feet first.”