Scorch

Scorch just kind of showed up one day.

In the days when the clan was still small, and had no real warriors, Clan Pyrrhus found themselves trying to fend off a group of Talonok raiders who had come to call at the Emberglow Hearth Lair.

They were sorely outnumbered. Zircon, still too injured to fight, guarded the young while Beryl tried to fend off the encroaching harpies and raptorik, with Baron and Starburst - the oldest of the dragon youth - stood by her side helping what little they could. Starburst especially was little use in the battle, attempting to both cast spells at the enemy while hiding in Beryl's shadow unseen.

Things did not look good for the young clan.

Then, the air was split with a loud screech coming from the direction of the lava fields of the Molten Scar. Streaking through the sky at breakneck speed came Scorch, lava trailing behind him from the pool he had emerged from.

There was a brief stop in the battle as both Talonok and dragonkind paused to look towards the source of the screech, and saw the apparently-alive streak of lava hurtling towards them. The next thing anyone knew, half the Talonok were aflame, the living lava plume raining fire and brimstone down upon the enemy while screeching and cackling as he circled in the air above them.

Beryl signaled to the others to back up and give this wild young spiral some space to do his work, while she herself jumped into the fray, putting down any Talonok that had survived the first fiery barrage and been too foolish to flee.

When the ugly work was over, Scorch chased the remaining raiders a while, seemingly playing with them, spitting fire among them until they were well out of draconian territory. Having defended the Flamecaller's lands from the beastclan encroachment, he returned to check on his fellow dragons.

Beryl, though a little put off by the apparent joy Scorch took in killing and tormenting the attackers, was overwhelmed with gratitude for the spiral's help. She asked from whence he came - but to this day has never received a straight answer.

"I was born of the lava and flame!" Was all he would say when she pressed to know of his origins, and he cackled to himself as if it was some brilliant joke.

"Our clan is small, and as you have seen, somewhat vulnerable," Beryl explained, "We could use a warrior such as yourself to aid us. What say you?"

"I say you ought to move farther from the borders!" Scorch laughed again, "Come to the Scar with me, and I'll make sure we're not followed. In return - I only ask your eternal gratitude and worship!"

There was a pause during which Beryl looked the small spiral up and down - well, attempted to, it was difficult with how he kept darting about, grinning like a fool.

"We worship none but the Flamecaller," Beryl finally said sternly, "But, if you wish to join our clan and offer us your warrior's skills, you will certainly have our gratitude, and all the Fire Ants you can eat."

"Ooh ho ho! Really!" Scorch exclaimed, grinning uncomfortably close to Beryl's face. He set his front claws on her snout, for the first time since his appearance actually remaining somewhat in one place as he hovered, "In that case - I'm in!"

He has stayed with the clan ever since, delighting in being their "Bestest Warrior", and helping Zircon to recruit and train new warriors to protect the clan or serve the Flamecaller.

He has, in the long months since, also fallen for one of the younger dragons who he once helped save - silent sweet Pitch, with whom he has now started a family. Scorch is often heard to say that since his mate is so quiet, he must speak twice as much to make up for her silence, though it is a mystery to all how Scorch could possibly babble or brag any more than he already does.