Dust

Dust ran. She didn't know exactly what from, but this infernal jungle that the Gladekeeper made her home was overrun with strange, exotic creatures. Some were magical in nature, but most seemed to just be living their lives. In any case, whatever had made that screaming noise was enough to put her on edge, and the crashing it caused as it moved got her running. Life so far had taught her to run from trouble.
Her wings were useless - weak at birth, torn over the years by fights she couldn't win and unable to heal well because of the sickness she had been stricken with. Her skills were nothing special. How could she do anything but run?

Dust was tired of running. It just dawned on her, so suddenly that she stopped dead.

She stood there until the creature, a huge, ape-like Goldenbeast, broke through the brush and stopped to look at her. She turned to face it. The curved horns on its head glistened in the light from the canopy. It had large canine teeth, rivaling those of a Tundra. It roared and leaned forward, beating the ground with fists that could probably crush her head easily. Dust was definitely frightened, but it was too late to run again.

"Phlegm Bolt!" Someone shouted, though a little emotionlessly.

An attack, not the aforementioned nonexistent one, but a Leaf Bolt, shot from the undergrowth and struck the Goldenbeast. It took the attack rather well, but was rocked back. An excruciatingly pink Fae wearing Mage Apparel and sporting a long braided mane of flaxen hair glided out and hovered beside Dust. She was followed by a brown Wildclaw wearing armor and furs and a Piebald yellow Gaoler. The Wildclaw flourished a Runaway Rotclaw and attacked.

Dust was distracted by the Fae, who flew in front of her and started talking way too fast. Her frills highlighted her speech, flicking up, down, and out.
"Hi!! I'm Reade, what'syourname?? WeheardyoufromtheLairandcametosee-"

"Sorry, she's...peppy. I'm Sunny." Apologized the Goaler. She was very shaggy and had tiny rainbow flowers all over her.

"I...I'm-"

"Whatabeasthuh?! LookatLokishago! DidthatGoldenbeastattackyou?" Reade prattled on.

"Yes, I was running and-"

She was again distracted when the Goldenbeast screeched and Lokisha, the other Wildclaw, shouted at them to watch out. Sunny leapt in front while Dust and Reade got behind a tree, the Fae perching on Dusts helmet. The sight of the larger Gaoler joining Lokisha seemed to scare the monster enough and it retreated, bleeding from several wounds. "Reade, you get her to the Lair, we'll get dinner. And talk slower!" Sunny called as she and her fellow warrior sped off.

---

The Fae led the way, talking monotonely all the while, though she seemed to try and speak more slowly. They were met by several different Dragons at different stages, until they came to the Lair. It was built beside a cliff, surrounded by large trees. The cliff face had lots of holes for burrows, and the trees held various nests and small structures, with Fae amber nests higher up. "Let's goseeVictoria, okay?" Reade asked.

"OK."