[Cards] Calligrapher's Shade (Patreon)

The archmage flipped through the illuminated bestiary—a peace offering from his old rival. Despite the sorceress's seeming contrition, he'd checked the tome for traps or magic sigils, but with no subterfuge to be found he'd set it down for the night.

Opening it once more under morning light, he found a page absent the book's usual masterful illustrations and sighed; even in apology, she couldn't help but find a flawed edition as a gift.

Just out of sight, a shade of fur slipped into the corner of his study, pressing flat to become just another beast in the wall's woodland pattern.