First Chapter First Paragraph Thursday Intros ~ Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
“Fuck!” cried Fern, ducking back inside the carriage a whisker before a clawed and scaled hand sailed past. A noxious ribbon of blood trailed in its wake, the owner no longer properly attached.
Fishy gurgles and bubbling roars arose on all sides, and the carriage rocked from another impact as the rattkin tipped back onto the bench, leather satchel clutched to her chest. No sooner had she bruised her own tail than she lunged forward again, flinging the bag aside to wrap furry arms around the gryphet scrabbling at the inside of the door.
Her pet’s bedraggled feathers fluffed around his head, his graying hair bristling along his back. He hooted and huffed hoarsely at the commotion outside, and Fern hugged him against her belly. “Hush, Potroast,”she sooth in a fierce whisper. “Somebody out there is on our side. I know you’re brave, but you’re far too old for this.”
His wing tufts fanned her face indignantly.
