Stray

stray - they/he - aberrant among aberrations

hatched on their own, one mind in their single head. shunned as a bad omen.
the elder used them. trained them as his personal assassin, a loyal hunting dog. he told them tales of the world beyond, its unimaginable wickedness. taught them to lie, to fear, that he alone could be trusted.

when they came of age, the elder sent them to infiltrate the outsider settlement on the ridge above the wyrmwound. the outsiders caught them, of course. they were just a child. a well-trained child, yes, and they fought fiercely, but they were no match for a half dozen full-grown dragons.

their captors seemed kind enough, but surely that was a ruse, to lull them into a false sense of security. once they let their guard down, the outsiders would dissect them alive. that's what the elder had told them. it must be true.

one of their captors, she said she was a "snapper," whatever that meant, had apparently been appointed their caretaker. she brought food and water, though they refused it every time. she sat near the makeshift prison and spoke to them while she worked on one project or another. she gave them a name, as they refused to give her theirs. "stray." like a lost pet.

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stray likes woodcarving, they find it calming. they sell little wood figures alongside callie's wares- sometimes she enchants them (or claims to), to act as protective amulets or room guardians. stray isn't good at displaying affection, so they give gifts, particularly handmade wood items.

perpetually distrustful, but getting better. folks are a lot kinder out here.

heavily scarred, missing two fingers from their left hand and their right wing below the elbow.