Specimen; dwarf Draco Alatus

by Alex CF on August 9th, 2011

Status: SOLD

The preserved body of Hoxton Butchers pet Draco Alatus

Draco Alatus were the largest species to survive the KT extinction, a small niche of animals that managed to withstand famine and hardship after the meteor hurtled into the Yucatán Peninsula. It is theorised that the animal, due to its ability to fly, became entirely nomadic, eking out an existence on the remaining mammals and avian dinosaurs which would become birds. The species thrived in the 65 million years post the extinction yet was quickly hunted to the brink by tribes of Homo Sapien. Small pockets survived in the Tibetan mountains under the care of the Agni monks.

Of the few specimens owned by Lord Merrylin, most notably the head of a young buck and numerous still borns, was Albert. Albert was a crippled Draco that was rescued from a street vendor in the Nepalese town of Bagbeni. The creature had been found washed down stream on mountain rivers, and chained to a post and made to dance. Draco are bright and agile creatures and the owner had taught him to dance a humiliating display. The animal was quickly bought up by Hoxton Butcher, a conscientious trader who worked for Merrylin. Although Merrylin never saw Albert alive, it was given to him, preserved almost ten years later. It is said that Hoxton wrote in his diary

“Have attempted to take the young animal back to the Draco Enclave under the watchful eye of the Agni Monks. Followed their trail for many days into the highest reaches of the mountains. No sign. Have named the creature Albert after my great uncle. Intriguing and exceptionally intelligent, I have decided not to pass this one on to Merrylin, knowing full well what he would do with it. Will take Albert back to the Caerphilly {his ship} and he will stay with me.”

Albert became a loyal friend of Hoxton yet suffered from a form of dwarfism which was apparent to his ward from the start, one wing would not unfold properly and he never grew over two feet in length. He died whilst sailing the Gibraltar Straits. The body was donated to Merrylin almost a year later.

Status: sold