Cadfael

"To battle... to victory! TO THE GLORY OF WAR!! Why are you just standing there?! I said LET'S GO!!"

A force to be reckoned with and eager as they come, naive but battle-ready Cadfael is a commander-general in the making. Relishing the chance to be the first on the field if to be the last one off when the day is done, this excitable Imperial enjoys the once brutal sport of fighting a bit too much to be healthy. But don't let his confidence fool you, like most of the Shadow Flight, Cadfael the eldest of his clutch isn't the unthinking idiot most think him to be. He's instead using his intense energy as a type of facade to catch his rivals off guard when things get truly serious.

And serious they can get, especially when he's got a legacy to live up to: his father Gethin is a premium trainer for their clan and the patriarch Kieran suffers few mistakes. Simply add on that his line is meant to be glorious over most others gathered in the dark brambles of the Tangled Wood, and Cadfael is in truth under a lot of pressure. So proving himself to have the strength and ability to not only live up to but beyond his sire's shadow is a constant battle. One that this determined warrior greatly desires the ability to do more than win... but finally find his niche.

Even though he's playing a role to satisfy others, Cadfael isn't so unbearably selfish that the needs of others are ignored. Any job is good enough for this spitfire of a dragon, at least until he gathers enough experience and prowess in the field to finally be considered for the more dangerous jobs, mostly patrols or scouting missions for supplies in the uncharted wilds of Sorneith. Horrible gashes, broken bones or even a bad eye are just lessons of how not to let a Serthis cast a spell, for a Gale Wolf to pounce or a haughty Snapper to try and outclass him should next they meet. He'll cover your flank if it's open, protect you when you're down and generally offer his aid in any way he can. Anything for approval, for the sweet acceptance, the embrace of others who understand him best.

Blood and appearances aside, there are times when just being friends with the person you don't know that much about or were taught to hate is good enough for everyone else. At least then, the fighting stops. At the very least then... real harmony can come into focus.