Riptooth Landbound Pirate Distant Shores Off in the distance, somewhere, roaring, Riptooth knows there's a sea. She's never seen it. It's there, though, sure as trees in a forest and blood in a vein. She sniffs her talons. Copper and salt. Almost sea, but missing something. Her footfall is quick and light, and the carcass she tows bounces behind her. It is well beyond caring, she knows, but she hisses in apology. It's an undignified end. Growling ahead. She replies in kind, but the voices are many, and do not retreat. She moves to draw her sword but thinks better of it. There's no need to pretend out here. Still, she takes a moment to remove the shirt and set it aside, folding it carefully. By the time she finishes, they're nearly upon her. No need to rush. There can't be more than six. Seven carcasses bounce through the trail-dust. She pretends she's towing rope on a mighty ship, that the tumbling weights behind her are the snapping of wind and sail. Sometimes they hit a rock or root, and the illusion is enhanced, though she knows that sea spray isn't half so warm. The edge of the deep jungle is soon behind her. She had taken to music more easily than speech, and the few shanties she knows are precious treasures. The creatures of the boundary fall quiet as the wildclaw charges past, her purring, rasping voice beating out rhythmic footfalls.

Have ye seen the drake with the green-fire eye?
Hey-o by the bay-oh!
Cap'n Vinebeard pitched like a star from the sky?
Hey-o down the way-oh!
They say ol' Viney took a sip from the 'Wound
Why-o? Did he die-o?
Nah, he smacked Aunt Plaguey in the nose with his spoon!
Hey-o, that's his way-o!

But all too soon, she runs out of verses. It is hard to practice out here, in motion, and somehow even harder near the clan. They're very sympathetic. Some are foundlings themselves, just not quite so late in life. Sapling is patient with her, but they're patient with everything, and she wonders sometimes at the trouble she must put them to. Would it be fairer if Sapling had her tongue, since they have so many words? But then she couldn't sing, and that wouldn't be fair either. Now, if she were a proper pirate, first thing she'd do is steal Sapling a tongue. She'd steal gold and gems for her clan, she'd steal the rarest flowers for Glademother, she'd...well, she'd have to steal a boat, sooner or later. But for now, she must be content taking the lives of forest-creatures. Even a pirate has to eat.

Have ye seen the drake with a song for a soul?
Hey-o on the trails-o!
Cap'n Rip-Tooth-Claw, the brave and the bold?
Hey-o never fails-oh!