Raime

Raime, the Raven, the Defector, the Abandoned



[Part One]

Such a battle the two brothers fought! Each loyal in their own way to Vendrick, King of Light, they could not see the other's side.

Always living in his brother's shadow, Raime's distrust of the dark new queen was like so many other concerns dismissed, seen as overcautious, perhaps even paranoid. Even as time went on and the kingdom waged its war against the Giants at her urging, Velstadt brushed off his concerns.

Was he paranoid? Perhaps. But Velstadt was blind if he couldn't see how that woman corrupted their wise and gentle king, how he seemed to wither and she seemed to grow more vibrant by the day.

He argued. He debated. And finally, he fought, his great and monstrous sword clashing brutally with the hammer his brother wielded, the castle's great hall ringing with the sound of steel on steel, armor and shields buckling under the force of their blows.

In the end, he was defeated, and banished from their once-flourishing kingdom.

And in his absence, the kingdom fell, his brother with it.

---

[after the Phyrexian Scourge come to the Court of Rogues, Raime's new home.]

And who should he see standing there among the ranks of the usurpers but Velstadt, his eyes dark with the black veins of infection. He stood beside their fallen king, a sorry sight in his ragged and eternally dripping armor, the vicious pretender-Queen beside him. Even her resplendence was muted, marred and tainted by the infection that could be seen overtaking almost half her sinewous body.

So that was it then-- no joyous reunion to be had after all these long years. Once more they stood on opposite sides of the line, serving opposite rulers-- Raime with his gentle and wise Nadalia and Velstadt corrupted by that cold and cunning Phyrexia. His face betrayed none of his warring emotions, the concern and fear for his brother and the hatred of the cruel coatl who had infected him without so much as a thought.

He had lost so much more than he thought with his banishment.