Tsoriken

it's been a while...

---

2014

One of many, many siblings, even as a hatchling Tsoriken clawed and scrabbled for every scrap of attention. He was the first skydancer to come to the Fletching lair, appearing shortly after the ridgeback plague. He had a short courtship with another skydancer, Sigan, who disappeared along with their hatchlings not long after.

He is charismatic but keeps very few friends, and seems often to be in the company of the clan's old patriarch.

---

2016

Tsoriken traveled to the Hewn City in search of records of Tarach and Akula's family. He located the oldest living progeny of their first child, went to her small clan in Dragonhome, and convinced the hardened warrior of the potential of their children. When the hatchlings were born, he stole away with them, watching closely for the strongest--when the youngest proved herself to be so, he left the other two to die. He brought his prize, Amdiffyn, back to the Fletching Clan and declared her the rightful ruler of the Fletching Clan.

During the civil war that ensued, Tsoriken hired Eleison as an assassin to kill several dragons, including the courier and ambasador's mate. He also hired a Shade priest to infect the Light representative and treasury keeper, effectively sending the Fletching Clan into lockdown. He then took his daughter to the Plague realm and began amassing a following, drawn to his charisma and promises of power.

---

2017

Tsoriken had been in the Tangled Wood with the spoils of war to pay off Shade priests when warriors from the Fletching Clan and their allies fell upon the makeshift rebel camp on the outskirts of the Scarred Wasteland. He returned to find his assassin heavily wounded, his apprentice missing, and a note tacked into the ground by the anchor that had previously held his daughter's chain.

"By popular vote of the Council of Suns and by decree of the patriarch and matriarch of the Fletching Clan, it has been decided that Amdiffyn, rightful heiress of the Fletching Clan, daughter of Cthara of Wind and Tsoriken of Nature, will hereby act as Queen and leader of the clan. Steps will be taken henceforth to transform the clan into a thriving queendom. Tsoriken--your attempts to stir trouble with this treachery have failed. There will be no repercussions for your crimes if you cease your assault on the Fletching Clan and stay far away from its territory. Consider yourself lucky."
--Akula, matriarch, as transcribed by Sylvan

Tsoriken slashed the note to pieces and turned to Eleison where he lay perspiring with fever. The skydancer snorted in disgust. It was time, now, to end this. His daughter had betrayed him, and for all their airs the Fletching Clan would be at its weakest during this transition. He knew that there was no way Amdiffyn would be accepted as Queen so easily. He flexed his claws and stretched his wings. It would be a grueling few days ahead of him, but he had already laid the groundwork for collecting many allies. All he needed to do was amass them... and attack.

--

The battle was a blaze of fury and blindness to Tsoriken. He and his companions flew silently over the north edge of Wind territory, harbingers of death and Shade winging through the sky. Their descent on the Fletching Clan was met with more resistance than Tsoriken had expected; allies had gathered quickly to the palace. Tsoriken screeched in fury as he stared up at the patriarch and matriarch, watching the battle from one of the many spires, and the old sentry ridgeback pinned him to the ground, snarling as he scratched at her belly until he was covered with her blood. It was for naught, though.

He was taken to the dungeon, shrieking and enraged at the dragons who had fled as soon as the tide of the battle was turned. There, alone, he was chained and bound by magic, and told that he would remain there until the Queen, his own daughter, decided his fate. He seethed and scratched at the chains, but inside he knew that the battle was over. Tsoriken had been defeated, but he had never been one to lay down and let his defeats eat at him.

---

Night and day were as the same in the Fletching Clan dungeons; there were no windows to let in light from outside, and the only sounds were Tsoriken's own breathing and heartbeat. The occasional entry of another dragon to give him food and water became an unwelcome respite from the oppressive silence. He did not look up when the door far above opened, assuming that it would mean his dinner (breakfast? lunch?), but when he heard his daughter's voice he snapped to attention, anger boiling up in his veins immediately.

She returned his stare unflinching. "You are lucky that my mother's blood gave me loyalty beyond wisdom," she snarled as she approached him. "I cannot bring myself to give the punishment I know you have earned. You have caused more sorrow and death in this clan than I can fathom, and yet I come to set you free."

Tsoriken said nothing. Was this a trick?

And yet, she came closer, and he realized that she was holding a vial of blood, which she upended on the edge of the magic circle that enclosed him. It screeched as she did, and Amdiffyn flinched, glancing upward with a look of nervousness on her face. Tsoriken rattled his chains, the anticipation of freedom setting him alight. Amdiffyn growled and set a paw down on the rope bolted to the floor.

"Listen to me, father, and listen well. That blood was infused with magic to bind you to your oath in exchange for freedom. I will not let you go until you promise me that you will never return, and never harm another Fletching dragon again."

She waited, looking furiously at him, for his answer.

He arranged his features into a humble expression, but inside he sneered. Magic oaths meant nothing to him. They could be broken with the assistance of more powerful mages; anything could, for a price. And he was willing to pay any price. He stood tall and said, "I promise, my daughter. I will not return to Fletching territory, nor will I harm your kith and kin."

Amdiffyn looked at him a moment longer and then nodded.

Half an hour later, Tsoriken fled the palace in the black of night.

---

2020

Tsoriken has been absent since his escape after the civil war. In his wake he has left unending political turmoil for his daughter, who struggles to maintain order under accusations of treachery. It has now been three years with no sightings of him.

He did promise to stay away, after all.

And he's always kept his promises.