The forest was thick with towering trees and tangled undergrowth, the kind of place where sunlight struggled to reach the ground. From above, the canopy looked almost endless, layers of leaves overlapping like a dark green ocean frozen in place. Down below, however, the world felt smaller, quieter, and far more dangerous.
High among the branches of one of the oldest trees in the area, John remained perfectly still.
His body rested along a thick branch large enough to support his weight. His black scales blended naturally with the shadows cast by the leaves above him, making him nearly impossible to spot unless someone looked very carefully. Even then, the darkness between the branches would likely hide him.
Only his eyes moved.
Golden and sharp, they followed every motion in the clearing below.
A group of elves had gathered there.
