Eirodel

Eirodel was with Emyr, his mate, when Lucifer attacked the Ancient Guard.

The meat and insect stores had been running low - meat quick to spoil and insects the preferred food of the many Skydancers within the clan - thus the two hunters had left early that morning to hunt. It had taken them hours to track enough game to feed nearly thirty dragons, many of which were colossal Imperials with equally huge appetites.

They'd had a good haul, all of their kills quick and efficient. They were merry when they came back to the lair. However, when they entered, dragging their spoils behind them, they stopped abruptly at the sight before them. Their clanmates had gathered in the entrance of the lair, some muttering, some crying, clearly all of them were panicked. Off to the side, respectfully lain out, were the bodies of nine of their friends and family.

Eirodel gasped at the scene, dropping the ropes tied to his cargo. He scanned the room and spotted his father. Blood covered his clothes. Eirodel ran to him, frantically asking if he was alright, if Meridian was alright. Nathaniel had sustained a severe injury, yet Nagendra, the Serthis, and Hannah had healed him. Meridian was fine, as well, thanks to Castiel and Emanuel guarding the Nesting Grounds.

His clanmates talked of a Light spirit that had taken form of a white Tundra with iridescent fur. His name was Lucifer, and only a handful of the group had seen him before he'd decided to lay waste to the entire clan. Ezekiel asked him if they had come across him on their way back, hoping for a lead on where the evil creature had gone. Eirodel had no answers for him. Neither had Emyr.

Eirodel and Emyr were tasked with burying their dead, as they knew the land better than most and could find a place no scavenger would visit. It was somber duty. Emyr handled it better, more experienced with the death of loved ones than he was.

In a fit of rage, Eirodel spat that he wished they'd come across Lucifer. He wished they had known, that they had taken him out.

With wisdom, Emyr gently told him that he was being foolish. Lucifer was no dragon. It had taken seven of their strongest simply to turn him away, and he'd received no injuries. No matter how good they were at hunting, neither Eirodel nor himself was strong enough to go against such a thing.

'And losing you would end me.'

Since the massacre, the Ancient Guard has abandoned its old lair. It is now in the process of building a city within its grasslands, with priority being directed towards defenses. They don't know if Lucifer, or any other enemy, desires to attack them again, and they're taking no chances. A wall is being built to encompass them and keep out intruders. No more will strangers be let in without being approved first.

Eirodel maintains his job as a hunter. For the most part, his personality remains unchanged by the tragedy that has befallen them. He carries more anger than before, but he vents to Emyr instead of keeping it pent up. It helps, being able to tell someone why he's so angry, how he regrets not being able to save their clanmates.

Emyr encourages him, reminds him there was truly nothing they could have done. He trains him now in the ways of combat, different from battling the beasts they hunt. It eases Eirodel's mind to think, if there ever is a next time, a need to protect his loved ones, he'll have the strength for it.