Rope

Cameoleopardis' lair has become home for many wanderers who came and gone. At first it was only her, Brinkley and Hemi, boldly going wherever Lightweaver led them. But then many more tundras recognised the smell of the lair as their own.
And then there were four.
Not strangers, though children of them.
Born to the lair and adamant to never leave it behind.
Seen by others as sign of greatness to come.
Eirys.
Ralola.
Sabooro.
Rope.

***

With fathers like they had, Rope and Sabooro had really no other choice but to become best friends - even brothers. Though not as big as other males in lair, Rope is burliest of the Four and even Brinkley thinks that one day he'll become fighter. Always acting as common sense of the Four, Rope is probably the only reason they're still alive. Cautious and prudent, but still brave when needed.

***

Young male stood in spacious hall. All of his companions were with him, Eirys with simple, golden bracelet that marked her as Cameoleopardis' envoy, Ralola, who, despite being fraction of size of Shemei warriors, stubbornly met any gaze laid upon them and finally Sabooro, unusually silent and focused. And yet, it was him that would do the talking
- ...and Maren Warlock, that would be all of them.
- Send your Mother our gratitude, little one said Ridgeback female sitting casually on rock formation in the center of hall. Her powerful voice resonated within the tunnels admittedly our clan had been... little ruthless in fight against the Beastclans. Your captives should provide useful if we'd ever be to negotiate with them.
Tundra bowed before Shemei and female waved appreciatively her clawed paw. Then Rope searched for familiar muzzle among her dragons. Some of them looked at each other hesitantly and finally even their leader raised an eyebrow under her skull mask.
- Is there something else? cold note in her voice vibrated with untold warning.
- Yes, actually he heard a collective hiss of Shemei's clan and turned his head around, but Eirys just nodded, so he continued there is one called Lyrella among your clan. Mother... Mother believes she would be valuable addition to our guards, especially if she had occasion to train along with powerful, strong...
- Enough with sugar-coating, little one Shemei interrupted him, but there was no more harsh notes in her voice. Quite the opposite, female seemed to be hardly capable of holding a heartily laugh I get where you're going with this. Alright, rescue your damsel in distress from big, bad dragons. Providing she wants that.
- Yes... Lyrella said, even before her leader's gaze pierced her. Rope was getting a bit light-headed from the stress and so Eirys took over from there.

***

They traveled in silence, enjoying light breeze in their fur on low altitude. Without prisoners' cart to slow them down, they could fly low above the woods. When they finally left Shadowbinder's domain, their humour returned. Even Lyrella cheered up and soon they were all laughing as Sabooro started to goof around.
- You'll like our place, Lyr. Can I call you Lyr? I'll call you Lyr Eirys chirped happily you'll see, we even have loud, scary Ridgeback female too!
Others laughed and even Lyrella herself smirked, though she looked around almost like she expected to see Shemei right behind them
- Eirys! You're talking about our ally.
- Oh, come on, Rope. I didn't say anything that wasn't true!
- Yeah, she even has something for bones. What's up with Ridgebacks and bones? Ralola slammed into the tree and jumped right back into air, with apples in both paws and another one crunching in her maw.
- Maybe we should ask Onyxscale and Coil about it, they know for sure! Sabooro threw lazily and this time all four laughed, leaving Lyrella confused.
- I didn't get that she admitted.
- Oh, you will. Though you'll wish you don't.