Rougarou

The Squamatas whisper amongst their group about a mythical snake, the Rougarou, that travels the swamps in search of the cruel and unjust. This ghostly Burmese Python escaped into the swamps years ago and now thrives in the muggy heat, the fetid humidity. His size has become legendary, as is his thirst for the souls of the evil outlaws that take refuge in the confusing corridors of swamp grass and alligators. Survivors whisper about the awful sight of his skeletal markings glowing white in the moonlight as he descends from above, striking and coiling in mere seconds just before he drags his victims down to the muddy bottom of the swamps.

The Rougarou is just a story, though. Isn't he?

Another shade creature rested at the bottom of the swamp on the north side of the disappearing island, and the Rougarou felt deep satisfaction at another successful day protecting the nameless clan...the dragon clan that earned his loyalty long years ago in the Nature Flight.

The Rougarou climbed from the murky waters and stretched out across his favorite warm rock and settled in for a good sun-soaking. But, while he rested and recharged, he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. He searched the shadows for sign of a dragon, but there was none. He attempted to shake the eerie notion that he was under surveillance, but it prevailed. Finally, fed up with the creeping tingles of fear, he launched from his roos with a wild roar and hovered over his swamp as he used his mighty eyesight to search every detail of his surroundings for the dragon that he knew was near.

The third time he scoured the area, he saw her. She sat cat-still in the dappled shadows of some cypress trees, just...watching. He flew to her and hovered near her face to threaten her with a low hiss, but she never flinched. Confused, the Rougarou flew closer, eventually tapped her with his nose, and still she never moved.

But, when he flew off to his roost, she followed at his tailtip. Just like that, he was no longer alone. Peekaboo curls up with him when he returns to his home.