Sunlight cracked through the curtains of the room, bathing it in a soothing wash of golden light.

In the light of the sun. A chandelier hung from the large center of the chamber, the light of the
morning sun refracting off it's many crystalline prisms, swathing the bedroom in a sea of
twinkling specs that danced about the room feverishly. Outside, the sounds of avian life filled the
air with chorus of chirps and melodies.

Razgriz sat in the middle of the room sorting through various sorts of equipment. His bronze
scales and aquamarine markings slightly obscured against the burlap satchels that were fixed
against his flanks. A large knife nestled in a leather sheath was fastened securely against his
black scaled chest. The black coloration ran all the way from his chest to his underbelly before
ending at the base of his tail.

Rope... check. Crystals... check. Knife... check. Compass... Raz murmured, feeling for the item
in his right satchel's side compartment. Not check.

The drake walked over to a dresser hurriedly, opening up and searching through each of the
drawers. Where did I leave that damn compass?

Throwing open the third drawer, the drake sighed in relief and produced a small silver burnish
compass. Shutting the drawer closed, he slid the compass into his right satchel's side
compartment.

That should be everything. Raz said, giving the room one last good long look before nodding
and gazing at the clock. Eight forty-five, still have thirty minutes, more than enough.

Walking over to window, he unlatched it and proceeded to hoist himself through the window, tail
first. Digging his hind claws into stonework, he lowered the rest of his body through the open
window.

Razgriz shivered as a cold wind bit into his scales. Sliding the window shut, he clambered on to a
statue of a dragon head that thrust out of the wall and gazed out over the courtyard.
The courtyard was amuck with activity, several armed guards could be seen patrolling the
grounds, their armor gleaming regally in the morning sun. Guards of different species sat atop
the walls, eyes looking out over the surrounding landscape vigilantly, a few which had bows
strapped to their backs.

Raz's face fell, a frown crossing his features. Ffyc. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Looks like I just can't fly over like I was hoping.

Leaping off the statue, Razgriz dug his claws into the wall. Once secured, he began to climb
down with lithe grace, jumping from outcrop to outcrop with lithe agility. Scampering down, he
reached the bottom, jumping off from the wall and hitting the snow with a forward roll.

Alright, now to- Raz was interrupted by the sounds of voices from his right. Whipping his
head around in time, he caught sight of two armored dragons walking side by side on patrol, their
armored paws crunching in the snow.

Cursing, Raz threw himself behind a nearby bush rather clumsily. Craning his head, he watched
on silently. The guards chatted back and forth, walking down the pathway adjacent to the bush.
Raz pursed his muzzle and shuffled forward quietly.

The guard's armor was of relatively simple plate-mail design, with several pieces of metal
covering vital points and joints with a leather underlay. Despite this, their armor was rather
decorative, having more than a few designs and sigils forged into the steel plates.

Raz brought his head bac as they neared, heart rate beginning to spike. Shifting his position once
more, his right paw accidentally descended upon on small twig. Collapsing under the pressure
the twig let out a distinctive 'snap'.

Raz froze and flattened himself against the bush. The guards instantly went quiet, their heads
craned in the direction of the noise.
What the? One of the guards murmured, eyes running over the bush.

Shit. Razgriz mouthed, going rigid.

Nodding to each other, the guards began to approach the bush slowly, stances low as the walked
toward the shrub slowly, footfalls crunching in the snow.

Raz's heart hammered in his chest as their footsteps grew closer. If I get caught, I'm going to
have some serious explaining to do. The bronze drake thought, a grimace breaking over his
features.

The drake waited nervously in the cold snow as the footsteps stopped at the other side of the
bush and began to circle around it, jabbing their claws in it sporadically.

This is bad. I need to think of something, NOW. Raz swerved his head around, scanning his
rather limited view of his environment due to his position, for something, anything.

His prayers were answered whenever caught sight of the front gate opening to let in a rather
large carriage pulled by two wyverns.

Fuck it. If I get caught I'll just haul ass through the main gate. The guards won't shoot at me
anyway considering who I am, but still, not exactly subtle like I wanted. He thought, watching
as their carriage stopped to unload it's passengers. Besides, I'm still going to have Convexity to
pay when I get back, regardless if I get caught or not.

A rather close jab at the bush brought the drake out of his thoughts, his muscles stiffened as he
heard the crunching sound of snow come very close. Raz shifted, moving in to a stance to bolt,
once the guard came around the corner.
Another jab. The footsteps were practically on top of him by now, their reverb dangerously
close.

Raz focused his energy, the markings etched across his frame beginning to glow a faint
aquamarine as they started to flow with energy.

The guard's shadow rounded the corner. Raz tensed, ready to bail.

ANCESTORS! A shriek came from the other side of the bush. The shadowed disappeared
behind the corner as the guard began to go back around the other side of the bush. Raz let his
muscles relax slightly.

What!? The other guard questioned.

The bronze drake heard a chuckle emanated from the same side of the bush the shout came from.
A squirrel... The other guard finally returned, voice unmistakably female. Turning his head,
Raz caught sight of a squirrel scampering away from the bush, leaving tiny footprints in the
snow.

Damn thing jumped out at me! Practically scared me out of my wits! The dragoness sighed.
Probably what made the sound, we need to ease up, were jumping at rodents for Ancestors
sake!

Aye, but it be our job to be paranoid lass. The other guard replied, voice deep and masculine.
Raz pondered over the male guard's accent for a moment before deciding it best to drop it.

I suppose you're right.

We'd best be gettin' back right now. The captain is goin' to 'ave our heads if we don't.

From his hiding spot, Raz heard the sound of shuffling feet in snow as the guards moved back on
to the main path, their footfalls steadily decreasing in volume. Once he was sure they were gone,
Raz let out a long shaky breath and slumped back down into the snow, his markings' losing their
glow and returning to normal aquamarine.

Cachu sanctaidd... The drake wheezed, heart hammering madly in his chest.

Razgriz took deep breaths, the adrenaline still ripely coursing through his veins. Ancestors that
was close, I need to more careful.

His four horned head peered out from around the bush once more. I'd best get moving, no doubt
mom and dad have noticed my absence and have sent people to look for me.

Peering out from behind his recluse, he spotted the same carriage from earlier still busy
offloading various supplies. Raz let out a sigh of relief.

Good, they're still here.

Drawing in a breath he emerged out from behind the bush, his stance low. Looking to make sure
no was coming he approached the main pathway brusquely.

With a deep breath, Raz bolted across the path and vaulted a small decorative wall that
overlooked the courtyard from an elevated position. Using his wings to brake his fall, the bronze
drake met the ground with little force.
Sticking to the shadows, the drake began to work his way toward the main gate, ducking behind
various objects when the occasional patrol came by.

A good ten minutes had passed by the time Raz finally managed to reached the carriage. Dashing
out from behind a statue, he bolted over to the carriage and slid under it just in time for a patrol
of four guards and mole to come over, conversing lightly.

As they surrounded the carriage, Raz pressed himself flat against the ground and watched as
several pairs of feet appeared out from the underside of the carriage. The drake listened on in
silence to the ongoing conversation.

Alright zat appears to be everyzing. The mole said. Razgriz's eyes widened as he watched as
the carriage rocked lightly as the mole scurried onto it and grabbed the reins.

Shit.

He watched on in horror as the carriage began to roll away to reveal him sprawled out under it.
As the carriage rolled away he gave a annoyed sigh. Welp, time for plan B.

Master Razgriz?

Raz turned his head to see an armored fire dragon gazing down at him with a confused
expression etched across his features. Taking a quick glance around he saw that the other guards
bore similar expressions of bewilderment and confusion.

Uhh... Hi... Raz replied, waving awkwardly.

W-what are you- The guard began to question, only to be cut off as Raz's hair and markings
suddenly burst to life. A brilliant aquamarine glow surged forth causing the guards to squint
lightly.
Razgriz shot forth at incredible speed toward the main gate as if fired out of cannon, leaving a
ghostly streak in his wake. A handful of guards standing watch at the main gate cried out in
alarm and dived out of the way of aquamarine bullet as it sped through the main gate.

Coming to a screeching stop, Raz looked back briefly at the main gate as the guards got to their
feet groggily, shaking their heads in a daze. Wincing, he redirected his gaze forward.

Mom and Dad are going to kill me for this.