Submission (#3027) Approved

Staring curiously down at the bits and bobbles strewn across the many poorly constructed stalls in front of him, mal carefully sorted through little trinkets looking for new shiny things for his little cottage.

“H-hello…. D-did you need any help?”

Mal turned around to look down at a nervous beast Terra, the owner of the yard sale apparently.

His crows cawed loudly, making the small terra nearly jump out of their skin.

Chuckling, mal reached a hand up to stroke down the spine of his nearest crow that had landed on his shoulder.

“No, thank you though darling.” His voice was deep and smooth like melted butter, he held a dominating air of elegance to him, something that both terrified the other Terras and demanded respect.

The other Terra nodded before turning around to leave him be.

Humming softly to himself, Mal found a large pendant made of silver that had clearly lost its battle against time if the discolored edges were any indication.

Gently brushing some dirt away from the center of it, he released a pleased purr at the quality of the silver despite its age.

He turned when he heard a soft caw from one of his other crows, they held another shiny object in their beak, hopping across the tables to proudly present their find to their beloved companion.

“I quite like the selection here at this little yard sale, don’t you my lovelies?” He cooed, gently taking the golden pendant his darling crow had offered him.

“Perhaps I can make Daere and bite a housewarming gift, melt these down and make a protection charm yeah?” He chuckled as his crows nodded in agreement.

“Let’s browse their other bobbles before we buy anything.” He hummed, turning to another table where he saw an old book with a familiar cover title.

Mals shoulders stiffened, his snake tail hissing softly at the negative emotion coming from his host.

Walking over slowly, mal gently picked up the old book, reading the title he never wanted to see again with a heavy sorrow settling over him.

‘The tale of the immortal crow king and the serpent of dreams’

“Oh my little dreamer, how I miss you so.” He whispered, stroking a claw over the old leather of the book.

The soft caws from his crows were his only comfort as he looked down at the tragic tale of the lover he’d lost to the vestiges of time, much like how his silver had lost its shine.