Argenteus

Crossing the Highland Scrub was probably the least taxing journey that could be made in the Shifting Expanse. Yes, the heat wasn't pleasant, but the relentless storms that raged in the land's eastern ranges were considerably worse.

Argenteus was a Fire dragon and therefore used to the heat, but the largely empty landscape that sprawled before him made this job somewhat tiring. Every cactus looked the same after a while. Catching a thermal, he rose higher before the sprawling desert, searching for the clan that required his services. He sniffed at the dry air, catching the same scent that was on the letter that the clan had sent to him, and banked left in its direction.

Finding the sign proclaiming "Clan West Wind", he began to come in to land when a whoosh of wings and a screech nearby caused him to turn. The masked face of a harpy come in sharp focus as the Tundra found himself buzzed by the feathered beast.

"The harpy clan holds no territory here!" he snarled, flapping his wings heavily to stay in one place. "Go back to the filthy cave you crawled out of!"

The harpy took offence to this and came back in for another attack, this time much more forcefully. Argenteus smirked and waited for an opening. As soon the harpy came upon him, he lashed out with a paw and struck her about the body. She stumbled and began to fall from the sky with a squawk. Not wishing to battle the harpy again until he was sure that her flock weren't nearby, Argenteus landed hard on the rocky ground and scampered up to the clan's door.

"I am Argenteus, the mercenary you hired! Please let me in!"

To his relief, the door creaked open and a frantic Skydancer practically dragged him inside, slamming the door behind them.