"You hired me to find it, not to tell you my secrets." I never meant to get into this business, but I already had the skills and the money was good.

I left the bar, pulling the hood of my cloak further over my head as I stepped out into the drizzling night. Weaving in and out of alleys, I had a few paths mapped out in my head, ways to get out of town and deter anyone from sucessfully following me the whole way. As I neared the edge of town, I could see the large trees of the forest getting taller, more foreboding. Even if someone followed me out of town, to follow me into the woods was sure to be a death sentence. Not just anyone could survive on their own out there for long.

Entering the treeline, I continued until the lights from town faded and I was being guided by the light of the moon. Five days until it was full, the only night that the townsfolk actually tried to enter the woods, hoping to be guided themselves by the moon's brightest light. I stopped in place, listening. The forest near town was silent, no sounds of mice skittering in the undergrowth or owls hooting in the trees. Silence. I listened. One minute. Five minutes. Ten. Silence. Content, I clicked my tongue twice and quickly heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The footsteps themselves were almost as silent as the forest, but I could noteably hear as a creature approached me, each bush moving as it ran past them. Then I saw it as it exited from the brush in front of me, tall enough to look me in the eyes.

Those eyes, they always entranced me. Even in the moonlight they had a twinkle in them, bright and curious. Standing in front of me, I knew the creature could see me well, those bright eyes were those of a predator, forward facing just as mine were. The whole creature was just as mesmerizing. The head, long and narrow to guide its long body through the undergrowth. Its body itself was easily as long as a common house, its legs sturdy and muscular. Its wide stance made it a great runner, its large claws made it an expert at navigating tough terrain. Its tail, also sturdy to help it balance during sharp turns. Everything covered in a layer of thick scales, like a natural armor to protect it. My eyes focused back to those of the creature. He flicked out his long forked tongue to smell me, to confirm who I was and that he was safe with me. I held out my hand which he allowed to touch him.

"Aztol, thank you for waiting for me. May I?" One hand still remained rested against his neck while I motioned to his back with the other. He flicked his tongue at me again, slower this time, signaling his comfort with my next actions. My hands felt along his shoulders, looking for the halter I had made for him out of leather of his own kind. This allowed it to blend into his own skin, invisible unless you knew to look for it. Once I found it, I gripped it hard and pulled myself upward to throw my leg over his back. It took me just a moment to adjust, the spines down his back laid flat beneath me. He also adjusted, making sure my added weight was balanced correctly. I held the halter firm in both hands and leaned down almost to lay over him. "Aztol, Let's go home."