Two dark eyes peered out from the top of the rocky outcropping. The small creature canted its beaked head curiously at the naked human soaking in the steamy water, unsure of what to make of the stranger.
Tobias of Winterbourne had never seen the cat-sized creature’s like. As the animal crawled cautiously into view, Tobias could see that it possessed an angular avian head with piercing eyes. Its forelimbs functioned like legs, but supported a folding membrane that stretched back along its sinuous body. Some sort of wings? Its small, sleek feathers ranged in color from brownish black on its dorsal side to tan to nearly white on its stomach.
“Hello there, fellow,” he said with an affable smile. The creature didn’t appear hostile, and Tobias was put more at ease upon seeing a finely-wrought silver collar about its neck. Some nobleman’s pet, apparently. “I’m not invading your territory, am I?”
The beast squawked guardedly.
“Or are you after some of this?” The human reached behind him for a handful of butter biscuits from his small pack. He broke off a sizable piece and tossed it to his visitor.