Petra

"Some of the men of Aylbus's crew stayed on and continue to crew the Wind's Woe after Dread's victory in the decision by trial. However, quite a few of them saw this as opportunity to cash in and retire to seaside towns. Dread made sure to pay severance wages fairly, but he always kept an eye on those who knew too much about him."

Petra has wandered a bit far from the sea, it's true. But the ocean was familiar, and the storms were something different above a less-unstable surface than the waters. So she wound up in Lightning's territory, at one of the semi-permanent marketplaces where dragons bought and sold goods, food, and their own services. Her own coin was dwindling, though she had enough to buy a small bit of dried meat and munch on it in the space for such things... when she saw them. At first, she thought it an odd mis-match: a mated pair of casual, careless Mirror with her pale, barely marked hide, and a stately, dark Imperial much like herself, though with brighter wings.

But no, from the casual, easy way they interacted... Not mates. There was just that slightest distance. Crewmates, yes. Perhaps on some sand-sailing craft? An airborne one? But again, no -- as they approached, they spoke of necessities to be bought for their lair. Foodstuffs, scrolls...

''And no buying people's contracts!'' the Imperial scolded. ''We haven't the space, unless they wish to live in the quiet tunnels the Ridgebacks have dug!''

''Awwwwwww,'' the Mirror said, wistfully. ''But new faces are so interesting! Think of Tigerblood's mate!''

''NO,'' the Imperial intoned, and clutched at the satchel of, presumably, coins and gems that was around his neck, as the Mirror made as if to grab for it, laughing.

They were funny, Petra decided, and followed them.

And when they had their baskets of supplies, including a rug for someone named Lani... The Mirror hefted her share with cheerful nonchalance, while the Imperial sighed at the greater portion. Petra sauntered over then.

''I can help carry that back,'' she offered, in her easy sailor's drawl. ''Cheap, even.''

The other Imperial looked at her for a long moment, considering. Finally he said, ''Thank you. That would be most kind.''

And by the time they got to the Scrublair, well, it was really such a long trip back, and everyone would hate for her to have to fly alone at night, so she had to stay, didn't she? And the next morning, well, no one was asking her to move on, and she was having such an interesting time chatting with the lair's eldest Gaoler... And then it was evening again, and the next morning had her talking to the seers, and then she was patting some of the familiars that no one'd had a chance to really pay attention to for a while, and, well...

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April 1, 2022 fortune: A friend is hoping to hear from you today.