Thar Shaddin

Glittering scales reflected the sunlight as the golden perch swam slowly, gracefully through the air, sending ripples of blue gently outwards until they gradually dissipated in curling wisps of smoke. Empty eyes, dark voids that reflected no light at all, stood is sharp contrast to a body that was already beginning to fade from gold to what seemed, at a glance, a shimmering transparency. In truth, the perch had become more akin to a living mirror, reflecting the dark leaves from above and the rippling water from the Ofriyu Mar below.

Jeeko, perched upon a branch that stretched out over the river's edge, grinned delightedly as fins became flames, bright yellow and flickering like candlelight, though the full effect of the illusion was lost in the daylight.

The wind brushed gently through the foliage above, creating a familiar song that soothed and caressed Jeeko's mind, aided by the rushing of the water below and the orchestra of birdsong from all directions. The peaceful atmosphere eased the passage of magic, as the boy delved deep within his imagination to craft the delicate images before him, giving them a vivid, strikingly realistic quality.

A movement from the corner of the illusionist's eye gave the large fish pause, briefly, and a wonderful opportunity presented itself with wide-open arms. Of course, Jeeko embraced it. In a way that gave the air an impression of fluidity, the flickering perch dived slowly downwards in swift, smooth movements, turning and swerving as it gradually made its way across to the creature that stalked through the grass nearby.

Small, round ears twisted first one way, and then the other. Any sound that was not one of nature's own was noted. But Rhyn had still not found something to eat. She was tiring of the dried rations that she had bought recently in the town. Fresh meat of some kind sounded quite wonderful to her. Not that midday is the best time for hunting. She sighed lightly. Used to the mountains, where midday may as well be dusk, and dusk might as well be fully nightfall, she was still learning how to survive in the lowlands. Perhaps prey was more plentiful, but it was also more watchful. It does not help that my spotted hide stands out in this place. The snow leopard sighed once more, sinking back onto her haunches for a moment.

Moments later, she found herself crouching once more, pressing herself down into the grass. Her pupils dilated, ears flattening as her pale eyes focused upon the movement that was coming towards her. She saw a flash of gold, and shifted her weight on her hind paws for a moment. The barest sound of shifting dirt didn't seem to disturb whatever it was that was now her prey. Thankful now that she had hidden away her things and gone hunting without the burden of harness, belt, or cloak, Rhyn launched herself at the movement that was coming at her through the grass. Her stormy coat stood out among the green color, her body a grey flash as her paws, claws unsheathed, came down and went through... a fish. They landed with heavy thuds upon green grass.

Snorting in disgust, the leopard-shifter sat down and swiftly swiped a paw over her head in the ever-familiar feline gesture. She had known all along that it was nothing real. Fish swimming out of water was not normal. That meant magic, and magic meant a magic-user. Her tail flipped first one way, then the other, and her ears turned out. It was too hot. As much as she enjoyed the way that the sun warmed her, Rhyn could never have prepared herself for the way her fur was too thick for such warmth as in the lowlands. Mouth open and panting slightly to let off some of the heat, she stepped towards the water now.

Pale golden eyes searched the bank for whoever it was that could be casting the illusion of the fish swimming in the open air, even as she dipped her head to drink.