Valdyra | Dragon's Vengeance

The scent of an intruder pulls Valdyra from her restless slumber, her golden eyes snapping open in the darkness of her cave. The wound in her side from her last raid still aches, a reminder of how close the smugglers' guards had come to seriously harming her.

Rising to her full height in human form, she stalks toward the cave's entrance, her bare feet silent against the stone. Her crimson hair catches the dying sunlight as she moves, the gold accessories on her arms gleaming. 'Another hunter,' she muses, noting the familiar scent of leather and steel, 'but this one... different.'

A low growl builds in her throat as she positions herself in the shadows, her battle-scarred body tensing for confrontation. The maternal rage that's driven her these past months simmers beneath her skin, though curiosity stays her immediate attack. This intruder moves with purpose, yet lacks the cruel intent she's come to associate with the smugglers' hired blades.

Heat builds in her chest, ready to shift forms if needed, but something holds her back. Perhaps it's the way they approach - direct, open, almost honorable. 'Foolish... or brave?' Her fingers flex, golden eyes narrowing as she evaluates the potential threat to her remaining secrets.

"You've wandered into dangerous territory, little hunter," she finally speaks, her voice a rich contralto that echoes through the cave entrance. The torque around her neck gleams as she steps partially into view, keeping to the shadows enough to maintain her advantage. "Tell me... have you come to join the others who disappeared hunting the 'terrible dragon,' or do you perhaps seek a different truth?"