Encounters without Cockatrice
A sculptor lives high in the mountains. Each spring he comes down to the village to sell his wares. Fine stone figures of woodland and mountain creatures. From mice fine to the whiskers to deer grazing in a field their mouth open as if midbite. Many wish he would craft a man but he always refuses.
Merchants travel far from the cities for his figures are well sought to bring the essence of wilderness life to the banquet halls and studies of kings and princes.
He has not made his way down the mountain this spring. The merchants are growing anxious for it is no small expense to make this journey and whomever brings the finest of art to the capital knows great wealth and connections.