ArcticHunter

Soldier of the Frozen South Warrior of the Wavedancers Ruthless Cunning Creative

Born in the Southern Icefield, ArcticHunter roamed Sorneith, hopping from lair to lair until he met MoltenHunter. The two Mirrors, impressed by how fitting, and similar their names were, joined forces and roamed the world yet again, this time to hunt.

One day they came across a camp of dragons on a beach near the Sea of a Thousand Currents. Thinking them easy game, the two Hunters conspired to take what they wanted of these dragons meager riches. However, they were not prepared for the ferocity of the Tundra water drake, Permafrost, and his magical prowess. Even the Imperials and lone Ridgeback caused the two Mirrors to realize they could never win. However, in an unexpected turn, Permafrost asked them to join their camp, a place for sick dragons, as guardians. Stunned, the two Mirrors debated with each other before agreeing, staying to help guard the dragons as they attempted to recover from their various illnesses.

When the Tidelord mysteriously granted all of the sick dragons full immunity, curing them, all of them were welcomed back into the Wavedancer Clan by Wavedancer herself and her mate, Skywing, recently returned from years of serving the Tidelord.

Now they put their warrior talents to use defending the lair as well as helping to train those who either wish to stay and fight or depart to serve the Tidelord, or whichever deity calls to them.

What they wouldn't realize is that some time later a stray spell cast by an inexperienced mage would not only change them from Mirrors to Ridegbacks, but change their hides into spots and lace. They lost their urge to hunt, but not their duty to the lair. Eventually the pull came and they mated. ArcticHunter's daughter, Phoenine would go on to take as his permanent mate MoltenHunter's son Karolapi and not just their power but also their offspring's power would serve the lair in ways they never could have imagined.
"It's hard to get used to roaming inside a lair as opposed to wandering free," Arctic said as he glanced over at his Mirror companion.

Molten nodded. "It's hard to believe that we stumbled across those sick dragons, got our tails handed to us and agreed to join their little fest."

"I'm just surprised that we never got sick," Arctic said, "at least not that sick. Considering some of the diseases they kept contracting."

"That and the fact that Permafrost kept failing in finding a cure," Molten said, "not even Dogwood or Iorama could figure out what to do."

"I guess the Tidelord really did listen to their prayers and cured all of us," Arctic said, "though, Permafrost . . . mutated? I guess that's the right word since no one cast a breed change spell on him."

"I don't know if I liked him better as a Tundra or as a Snapper?" Arctic said with a soft chuckle.

"Still . . . he is the Firstborn of the lairs founders and we really should show him some respect," Arctic said.

Molten shifted, blinking all four orange-hued eyes at his companion. "They've tamed you?"

"No, but I know when loyalty is due," Arctic said, "they let us stay, even after we tried to rob them blind . . . after slaughtering them. I thought it was complete stupidity that they would trust us enough to let us stay and help guard them and their treasure, such as it was."

Molten nodded and fell silent. "I hate admitting it, but in a way you're right. We do owe them a lot. Even Wavedancer and Skywing for allowing us to stay and join their lair when they took back control."

"I've never heard of dragons returning from serving a deity but, I guess they had their reasons, and it was a good enough one," Arctic said.

"Maybe it's the Tidelord's way of blessing this lair? I mean, it's managed to survive this long, and with the lairs founders back and touched by a deity's magic . . . definitely that has to be an omen the water drakes would elevate as the most important thing around."

"Though, have you noticed that female Wildclaw? The one with the brown hide?" Arctic asked.

"She looks like she's planning something," Molten said, "well, it would fit since she's a cold-hearted ice drake."

"Oh? And what about me? I was born in a lair blessed by the Icewarden. Am I cold hearted as well?" Arctic asked, arching a brow.

Molten chuckled. "You're a Mirror, like me. Of course you're cold-hearted. We're pack hunters and killers, remember?"

"How could I forget?" Arctic said, "though the Mirrors in this lair don't seem inclined to pack hunt. Pity . . . "

Molten started to speak when he stopped mere inches from running into a maroon-rippled Fae who squeaked and back winged some.

"Forgive me, Span? is it?" Molten said.

"Oh, do not worry," the Fae said in his usual monotone, head crest nearly flat against his head. He blinked before tilting his head to the side, azure eyes blinking before he gasped. "By the Tidelord!"

Arctic blinked as well. "What's wrong?"

"I-I have a feeling, a vision . . . The Tidelord has blessed me. The two of you will become a very important part of the lair in the future. The two of you will bear offspring. Offspring who will be powerful. They will be the ones to save the lair in its darkest hour."

Molten chuckled. "I doubt it," he said, "neither of us have found a mate yet. I doubt we will."

"I know what I saw and, I believe in the deity who created me," the Fae said.

"I thought Faes were created by the Arcanist?" Arctic asked.

"He may have created my breed, but I was born in a water lair, or can you not tell from the color of my eyes?" Span asked, crest flattening a bit more.

"So, a magic-loving water drake," Arctic said, "maybe your visions have some credence, but I'm not going to hold my breath on them."

Span nodded, crest starting to rise a bit. "Forgive me but I must inform Wavedancer and Skywing of what I saw."

"Who are we to stop you?" Arctic asked with a soft chuckle, shifting so the little Fae could flutter between the two larger Mirrors.

"That . . . was nothing I had expected," Molten said, shifting to watch Span as he disappeared.

"Well, he is old," Arctic said, "not as old as some of the other drakes they've taken in but still . . . a lot older than we are."

"Do you think he's going senile?" Molten asked?

Arctic just gave a half shrug. He doubted either of them would find a suitable mate and bear offspring that seemed so important to the little Fae.

Shoving the whole thing from his mind, Arctic continued on to the outer entrance to the lair. He was growing hungry but knew better than to hunt in the paddock. The last time he tried he got a serious beat down.

Though a small part of his mind couldn't help but wonder if Span was right, an uneasy feeling settling over the Mirror.